A History of Violence (2005)
- Starring:
- Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, (more)
- Director(s):
- David Cronenberg
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Foreign, Mystery & Suspense
Member Rating
My RatingSynopsis of A History of Violence
David Cronenberg directed this screen adaptation of a graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke which explores how an act of heroism unexpectedly changes a man's life. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) lives a quiet life in a small Indiana town, running the local diner with his wife, Edie (Maria Bello), and raising their two children. But the quiet is shattered one day when a pair of criminals on the run from the police walk into his diner just before closing time. After they attack one of the customers and seem ready to kill several of the people inside, Tom jumps to the fore, grabbing a gun from one of the criminals and killing the invaders. Tom is immediately hailed as a hero by his employees and the community at large, but Tom seems less than comfortable with his new notoriety. One day, a man with severe facial scars, Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris), sits down at the counter and begins addressing Tom as Joey, and begins asking him questions about the old days in Philadelphia. While Tom seems puzzled, Carl's actions suggest that the quiet man pouring coffee at the diner may have a dark and violent past he isn't eager to share with others -- as well as some old scores that haven't been settled. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 96 mins
Complete Cast of A History of Violence
- Viggo Mortensen - Tom Stall
- Ashton Holmes - Jack Stall
- Stephen McHattie - Leland Jones
- Ed Harris - Carl Fogarty
- Greg Bryk - William "Billy" Orser
- Maria Bello - Edie Stall
- William Hurt - Richie Cusack
- Peter MacNeill - Sheriff Sam Carney
- Heidi Hayes - Sarah Stall
- Director(s):
- David Cronenberg
- Writer(s):
- Josh Olson
- Producer(s):
- Chris Bender, J.C. Spink
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Drug Content, Adult Situations, Profanity, Strong Sexual Content, Graphic Violence, Adult Humor, Not For Children, Nudity)
- Categories:
- Foreign, Mystery & Suspense
- 2005 - American Film Institute - Best Picture
- 2005 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Director
- 2005 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress
- 2005 - Dallas/Fort Worth Film Critics Association - Top Ten Film
- 2005 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Picture (Runner-up)
- 2005 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Director (Runner-up)
- 2005 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actor
- 2005 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Picture (Runner-up)
- 2005 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Director
- 2005 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Supporting Actor
- 2005 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Supporting Actress
- 2005 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Supporting Actor
- 2005 - Online Film Critics Association - Best Director
- 2005 - Online Film Critics Association - Best Picture
- 2005 - Online Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress
- 2005 - Phoenix Film Critics Association - Top Ten Film of the Year
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