A History of Violence (2005)

Réalisateur:

David Cronenberg

Writers (WGA):

John Wagner (graphic novel) and
Vince Locke (graphic novel) ...

Release Date:

30 septembre 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drame | Thriller

Accroche:

Everyone has something to hide.

Plot:

A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.

Plot Keywords:

Product Placement | Child Uses Gun | Deceit | Shotgun | Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 26 wins & 31 nominations

Avis des utilisateurs:

In the Blood

Ensemble

Viggo Mortensen	...	Tom Stall
Maria Bello	...	Edie Stall
Ed Harris	...	Carl Fogarty
William Hurt	...	Richie Cusack
Ashton Holmes	...	Jack Stall
Peter MacNeill	...	Sheriff Sam Carney
Stephen McHattie	...	Leland
Greg Bryk	...	Billy
Kyle Schmid	...	Bobby
Sumela Kay	...	Judy Danvers
Gerry Quigley	...	Mick
Deborah Drakeford	...	Charlotte
Heidi Hayes	...	Sarah Stall
Aidan Devine	...	Charlie Roarke
Bill MacDonald	...	Frank Mulligan

Autre(s) titre(s) :

A History of Violence (Germany)
A History of Violence (France) [fr]
Une histoire de violence (Canada: French title) [fr]

MPAA:

Rated R for strong brutal violence, graphic sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use.

Durée:

96 min

Pays:

USA | Germany

Langue:

Anglais

Couleur:

Couleur

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Son:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Classification:

New Zealand:R18 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Philippines:R-13 | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Czech Republic:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | USA:R (certificate #41604) | Argentina:16 | Singapore:R21 | Spain:18 | Italy:VM14 (original rating) | Italy:T (re-rated) | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Japan:R-15 | Hong Kong:III | France:-12 | Australia:MA | Netherlands:16 | Australia:R (original rating) | Mexico:C | Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-15 | Iceland:16 | Brazil:18 | Indonesia:Dewasa | Germany:18 (bw) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | UK:18 | Ireland:18 | Norway:18

Emplacements De Pelliculage:

Millbrook, Ontario, Canada

Company:

New Line Productions

Anecdotes:

During an interview, Viggo Mortensen stated that during the shooting of the first bar scene with Ed Harris he could not stop laughing, and as a result, the scene had to be re-shot several times. Due to Viggo Mortensen's behaviour Ed Harris completed the scene without pants; he only wore his underwear, yet this cannot be seen as the bar table impedes our view. Thus, Viggo Mortensen had to act seriously while Ed Harris was not wearing any pants, and this is the scene that is used in the movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: Early in the movie, Tom and his family are sitting to breakfast. Tom pours some orange juice into his glass and sets the pitcher down. The view cuts away, but when it comes back the glass is much fuller than it was before.

Guillemet:

[first lines]
William Orser: So we keep headin' east?
Leland Jones: Yeah, that's the idea.
William Orser: Stay out of the big cities?
Leland Jones: Uh-huh.

Connexions De Film:

References "Larry King Live" (1985)

Soundtrack:

Club Hoppin'

In the Blood

In the middle of the night young Sarah (Heidi Hayes) wakes from a nightmare. Her father, Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) comforts her saying, "There are no such thing as monsters…" Director David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence" questions whether human monsters are truly born or trained to be so. Based on a graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, Josh Olson's screenplay offers a provocative answer. Though for Cronenberg and Olson , the power of "A History of Violence" lies in its character study. Viggo Mortensen as Tom Stall is commanding and powerful as the center of this character piece. This is one the year's best movies.

Cronenberg creates the idyllic setting of a small Indiana town. Tom Stall (Mortensen) is a mild mannered and community respected family man. He has a loving and beautiful wife Edie (strong and smart Maria Bello). His daughter Sarah likes shopping for shoes. His teenage son Jack (Ashton Holmes) is sucking as a baseball player and a target of bully Bobby (Kyle Schmid). Tom owns Stall's Dinner in town. Then one day ruthless killers (evil Stephen McHattie and Greg Bryk) draw their guns in a robbery attempt at Tom's diner. Tom kills both like they are not even there. He dispatches them with awesome deadly force and brutality. His actions are warranted, and seemingly instinctive. Tom becomes a town and national hero. His photo even appears on CNN.

Soon after returning to work a mysterious man and his henchmen visit Tom in his diner. The man, Carl Fogerty (menacing Ed Harris), reveals a disfiguring injury and claims to know Tom, as Joey Cusack. Tom really does not seem to know Carl, and kindly asks him to leave. Things don't seem to add up regarding Tom. Carl later asks Tom's wife Edie "Why is he (Tom) so good at killing people." Cronenberg brilliantly lulls us in a sense of normalcy, then launches in a predetermined direction and tone. He hints at his answer with son Jack's explosive actions. Also his "A History of Violence" is a study of extremes, likely intentional. The violence is graphic controlled brutality, and merciless. The sex scene with Tom and Edie on the stairs is raw and erotic. Cronenberg also manages an unexpected resolution.

Viggo Mortensen is electrifying. He uses his classic good looks and understated charm to play the gentle family man Tom Stall. Mortensen also displays a powerful and explosive presence as Tom's darker persona. Mortensen is athletic and expertly performs the amazing martial arts and fight scenes. Maria Bello is awesome as Edie. Even with her glamor subdued she is stunning and sexy. Her Edie is strong willed enduring her own doubts regarding who her husband really is. Her reaction at the story's arc is both believable and heartbreaking. She and Mortensen have amazing chemistry. Ed Harris is calculated evil as Carl Fogerty. Newcomer Ashton Holmes is impressive as young Jack. His portrayal leads us to believe it maybe truly in the blood. William Hurt's turn in a pivotal role is unexpectedly shocking and completely effective.

Cronenberg has fashioned a fable about character and fate in "A History of Violence". This is one of the best movies of the year. Viggo Mortensen is simply powerful. "A History of Violence" is worth seeing and worthy of thought.