Member A History of Violence movie reviews

A History of Violence details

Formats:	18 DVD, Blu-ray
Starring:	Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Ashton Holmes, Heidi Hayes
Director:	David Cronenberg
Genres:	Drama - Crime, Thriller - Crime
Studio:	ENTERTAINMENT FILM DISTRIBUTION
Collections:	100 Top Thrillers, Top 400 All-Time Rentals

Name	Discs
A History of Violence	18 Feature

DVD Information

Run time:	1 hour 36 minutes
Rental release:	Currently unavailable
Main languages:	English

Name	Discs
A History of Violence	18 Feature

Blu-ray Information

Run time:	1 hour 36 minutes
Rental release:	Not available for rental
Main languages:	English

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LOVEFiLM Review A History of Violence

By Tom Charity from LOVEFiLM

Cronenberg's latest movie sees a model family's life turned upside down by an act of violence...
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Most helpful review A History of Violence

Don't believe the hype...

By Paul from London , 30 Oct 2005

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS Show review anywayHide

[Highly rated reviewer]

..if this is really the best that is coming out of Hollywood then we're in dire straits.

Cronenberg's film combines a simplistic and unconvincing plot with an emotionless and frankly disturbing fascination with violence that never seeks to look beneath the surface of the issues that it purports to explore.

A bland American family have their lives turned upside down when a former mobster, now seeking to live the American dream for reasons that we are never able to fathom, is reconnected with his former past by a chance encounter with a pair of itinerant sociopaths.

As our mobster-turned-pillar-of-the-community is forced to confront characters from his violent past, he kills off the baddies in a style that would not put Bruce Lee to shame. We learn nothing of his emotional state, there is no exploration of how his family make sense of his terrible past and, in a truly cringing ending, are left with the idea that, in America, murderous violence goes unchallenged as long as it does not impact on everyday life.

If you are a 'how many killings?' viewer then this might be for you..otherwise look elsewhere if you want to be challenged, moved or enlightened. Believe me, this is no commentary on the roots or consequences of underground violence.
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Human nature confronted

By a customer from Greenwich , 07 Mar 2007

As with all Cronenberg films I've witnessed, this was gripping viewing from the outset, but as always there was a sense something unpleasant was about to unfold. The bright veneer of civilisation portrayed in the opening scenes was slowly being stripped away, much like the identity of Viggo Mortensen's character. What's left is the common heritage of all us primates - our history of violence.

Cronenberg explores the sexual impulse, our aversion to outsiders - as portrayed by the watchful sheriff - and most importantly, identity. The latter is shown in a key scene to be so fragile that in certain situations it deserts us.

As well as all round excellent performances, and sublime cinematography, this film is a profound work of art.
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fab

By a customer from croydon , 06 Mar 2007

This film was fab... the ending was a bit naff in that you never really know how it turns out although I suspect it is happy ever after in that it is hollywood after all!!!!

Bit gruesome but that is never a bad thing. Iw ould recommend this as an afternoon chiller..... just don't forget the choc....
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The anticlimax at the end is annoying

By Chantal (1104 reviews) from London , 05 Mar 2007

THis started as a good idea, the story is gripping but suddenly it all goes pear shaped and goes from an A movie to a B one. The end is very disappointing.
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Great movie

By a customer from London UK , 03 Mar 2007

I enjoyed this film and didn't think it was too violent at all. A good movie to watch on a rainy afternoon if you have nothing better to do.
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Don't even bother!!!

By a customer from London, England , 27 Feb 2007

Started off ok but soon went down hill to the point where... there was no point!!! What a waste of time. Expected more from the three main actors, especially Viggo Mortenson.
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