Today’s quick review: A History of Violence. Diner owner Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) leads a modest but happy life with his wife Edie (Maria Bello) and their two children. But when an act of heroism makes him a local celebrity, he attracts unwanted attention from Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris), a gangster who claims he used to work with Tom. Looking to settle an old score, Carl begins to harass Tom and his family, pushing the Stalls to the very brink.
A History of Violence is a crime drama about a family man who must protect his loved ones from either his own violent past or a chilling case of mistaken identity. The movie plays out as a tense drama: Carl and his associates menace the Stalls from without, while the question of Tom’s true identity tears them apart from within. However, in spite of an interesting premise, the way the movie handles its characters and drama won’t be to every viewer’s taste.
The chief source of drama in A History of Violence is the question of whether Tom is who he says he is. On the surface, he is a loving family man and a respected member of the community. But Carl’s allegations jeopardize all of that by undermining Tom’s family’s trust in him. The contrast between his formerly idyllic life and the uncertain nightmare it becomes gives the film some effective tension to work with, as does the looming threat of Carl.
How much you get out of the movie will depend on your taste in characters. A History of Violence takes its time establishing the lives of Tom and his family before using Carl to put them through the wringer. This early investment pays off in later drama, but it backfires if the viewer dislikes the Stalls. Those who find them to be bland and ordinary before the conflict will not get the intended effect from their struggles later in the movie.
The movie’s flavor of drama is also very particular. A History of Violence relies heavily on discomfort and uncertainty in otherwise normal situations; nearly all of the conflict is mental, save for two or three encounters that prove the danger is real. Once again, whether this is a plus or a minus comes down to taste. Those who like gritty realism will get what they’re looking for. Those who prefer overt conflict will find the movie constraining.
Watch A History of Violence if you’re interested in the personal side of the crime genre. Its fascinating premise, engaging mystery, and sense of tension give it what it needs to satisfy the right viewer. But the bleak nature of the film, its bland characters, and its emphasis on uncertainty make it a hit-or-miss choice. Steer clear if you’re looking for action, a clear-cut moral conflict, or characters that are easy to like.
7.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a decent premise that gambles heavily on mundane characters and a certain type of drama; your score will vary.