A still from the film "A History of Violence"
Small-town life sometimes masks big-time secrets. In David Cronenberg’s A History of Violence, a seemingly average family gets way more than media attention when their patriarch defends himself at the town diner, unleashing a series of events that reveal an unknown past as well as a more present danger.
The 2005 classic was Tuesday night’s featured film at Lyric Hall as part of an ongoing monthly series in conjunction with Best Video. Widely considered one of the best films of the 21st century thus far, it was appropriately enough announced Tuesday as one of the Criterion Collection picks for October. Anyone who is a fan of Cronenberg’s work as a filmmaker is familiar with his mind-bending forays into science fiction futuristic body horror with movies like The Fly, Scanners, and Videodrome. A History of Violence, rooted in a stark realism, might even be considered one of his bolder expressions.
With an Oscar-nominated adapted screenplay by Josh Olson based on the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, the film centers on the Stall family, particularly husband and father Tom Stall, who runs the local diner where the townsfolk of Millbrook meet. Played by Viggo Mortensen, Tom is quiet, calm, stoic, but also hiding a secret that comes to light only after he is placed in a situation that calls for aspects of it to be revealed.
It is difficult to discuss the film without giving away some of its plot and revelations, but if you watch the preview below and/or read the title, you will get a sense of what is to come. As someone who has seen the film multiple times, including in theaters upon its initial release, this reporter can safely say that knowing what is going to happen does not lessen the impact. Cronenberg is known for his affinity for keeping his camera right in the thick of the action, asking us to focus on something we may typically want to turn away from. In this film that includes, beyond the gore and violence, the idea of the, as Tom is referred to by the press, “American Hero,” and exactly what that means (or if it sticks) once we delve further into his past and past involvements.
Cronenberg takes a good long look at the rippling effect of Tom’s behavior on those around him, especially his wife Edie (played by Maria Bello), who balances her pride and fear with aplomb, and his son Jack, whose fear turns into fascination, and possibly being a chip off the old block.
The scenes of violence are quick and cutting, as shocking on repeated viewing as they were on the first, but the scenes of emotional connection and contemplation linger much longer, with what I call the Cronenberg Close-Up effectively begging the viewer give a long hard look at the real issue: do we actually know those around us, as well as ourselves, at any given time?
When Best Video’s Lucas Hernandez introduced the film — which he had chosen — he mentioned that Viggo Mortensen’s character’s plight, the idea that he was trying to run from something, was “relatable.” While the majority of people are not necessarily running from such a nefarious past as this particular character, the story and the way it is played out — especially with characters from Tom’s past showing up who won’t let him just be who he is presently — ask us to face our own judgements, both inward and outward.
How many times have many of us moved, changed our jobs, tried a new profession, made new friends and/or partners, and yet we are still judged by who we used to be? It can be easy to be stuck in the sludge of what was rather than ride with the current through the present and into the future. Some people work incredibly hard to change who they were into being who they are. While it may not win you any awards, it can bring you peace. And really, what else is as important as that?
While I will not give away the particulars of the rest of the film — which includes indelible supporting performances from both Ed Harris and an Oscar-nominated William Hurt — I will absolutely recommend the one-two punch of this film and its companion piece: Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises from 2007 which also stars Viggo Mortensen as a man with questionable connections. Both are brutal yet beautiful, just like life itself.
Speaking of beautiful, next month Best Video and Lyric Hall are presenting another 2005 classic: Brokeback Mountain. Please see Best Video’s website and/or social media accounts for more information.