Film Review: Why A History of Violence Is Probably One of the Best Movies You’ve Never Seen
Wowed. That’s the best word to describe my reaction the first time I saw A History of Violence. I first had the pleasure of seeing the film in the theater in 2005. I did not come into the theater without expectations. I had wanted to see A History of Violence and was kind of anticipating it, but I never expected it to be as good as it is.
What is A History of Violence About?
Based on a graphic novel of the same name by John Wagner and Vince Locke, A History of Violence is about a man named Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen [The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]) whose life is turned upside down after he gains fame for foiling a robbery. See, fame, unfortunately, brings the wrong kind of recognition Tom’s way, as he draws the attention of some Philadelphia mobsters who are convinced he’s a long lost enemy of theirs. Dying to settle a score with the man they are sure Tom is, they arrive on the scene and completely disrupt his picture perfect small town life. Backed into a corner, Tom is forced to defend his life and the lives of his family by any means necessary, while at the same time having to prove over and over again to his nearest and dearest that he’s still the man they know and love.
