Submitted by Benjamin Soto 
(Oct 11, 2005)David Cronenberg has brought to the screen a great film depicting a man with two lives. One life was as a killer from Philly named Joey, and the second life has him as a family man in a small rural community named Tom.
Based on the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, a History of Violence is a hard look at the fact that we cannot run away from the past no matter where we hide. Cronenberg brought this vision to life with Vigo Mortensen, and a great cast of actors from William Hurt, Maria Bello, and Ed Harris.
The opening scene takes us on a small journey with two deranged killers. This sets the tone for the kind of bad people that are expected to be encountered. We're then taken to a small town where we get to live a quiet life with Tom. We watch as he runs his business and knows all around him on a first name basis. Then things take a turn as the two deranged killers enter the diner. Little did they know there was a man who was by far more brutal than they could have ever imagined. Tom becomes a hero and those looking for him have found him thanks to the media.
More violence ensues and Tom fades away as Joey returns. His family is forced to deal with the fact that he was not who he said he was, and he is forced to deal with the sins of the past. Be prepared for a great ride that will entertain and make you feel what the main character has to go through.
One striking aspect of this film were the love scenes. Now in most films they are there just for the sake of being there, but in A History of Violence they actually had a point. The first was of Tom as a family man and loving husband. It's innocent, and what would be expected from a married couple. The second was as Joey, when his wife finds out the truth. They fight as she tries to run up the stairs, and the violence of that fight turns into a more angry sex scene, showing us more of Joey.
The film is worth watching. It isn't for everybody, especially the actual violence in the film which is shot without sound. So that means be prepared to hear every hit, gurgle, bone break, and death to its fullest.
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