‘Violence’ movie for grown-ups

Director David Cronenberg is known for strange psychological

thrillers with science-fiction overtones, “The Fly,” “Dead Ringers”

and “Naked Lunch” being a few of his eccentric projects. But despite

the aggressive title, “A History of Violence” may be his most

mainstream and accessible work to date.

Viggo Mortensen emerges from his heroic “Lord of the Rings” role

to play Tom Stall, a very ordinary family man in small-town America.

He’s married to a sexy sweetheart with two kids, and he runs the

local diner.

His uneventful life is shattered when two low-life bandits attempt

to rob his restaurant. Tom rises to the challenge by taking away one

robber’s gun and killing both of them in very short order.

His valiant deed draws national media attention and brings

unwanted visitors to town. Ed Harris plays the chilling leader of a

gang of Philadelphia mobsters who believe Tom is a long lost hit man

from their town.

A tense game of cat and mouse ensues as Tom claims he is the

victim of mistaken identity, while the mobsters strive to prove he is

the hidden killer they are looking for.

This film noir premise gives rise to a deeper exploration of the

real nature and effects of violence. Surprising consequences follow

unexpected choices by the main characters. Life and death decisions

play out very quickly.

When violence occurs, it is absolutely sudden, brutal and certain.

There are no long drawn out Hollywood gunfights.

A stunning cameo by William Hurt brings additional light to the

unfolding plot.

It’s not for everyone, but this very grown-up crime thriller

brings first-rate acting and a different perspective to a classic

subject.

* JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator

for the Orange County public defender’s office.

‘History of Violence’ is thrilling and well acted but disturbing

Is there a capacity for destruction somewhere deep in all of us?

Does violence only lead to more violence? If you love someone, how

far are you willing to go to hang onto it?

These are questions raised in director David Cronenberg’s

near-perfect thriller, “A History of Violence.” This is a taut, lean

and mean piece of filmmaking that will surprise, disturb and even

make you laugh at odd moments.

The Stall family lives in a quiet rural town in Indiana and is

“living the American dream.” Tom (Viggo Mortensen) and wife Edie

(Maria Bello) are still mad for each other after all these years and

have a close-knit family.

That dream is shattered when two strangers walk into Tom’s diner

and threaten to kill everyone. Without hesitation, Tom leaps the

counter and takes them out, making him the local hero and media

favorite -- those cheekbones! A modest Tom just wants things to

return to normal.

But a seriously disfigured man named Fogarty (Ed Harris) shows up,

insisting Tom is really a thug from Philadelphia.

Tom’s efforts to get his life back only lead to more surreal

mayhem and emotional chaos.

All the actors are superb. Ashton Holmes makes an impressive debut

as teenage son Jack, who must grow up much too soon. The eclectic

William Hurt makes a bitingly funny appearance as a mob guy who wants

to tie up loose ends.

The last scene of the family at dinner is powerful for its

simplicity and lack of dialogue. And it made me wonder, when people

have been through hell and their family dynamic has changed so

drastically, how do you go forward from there?

* SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant

for a financial services company.