A History of Violence

Wuchak

7/10

11/3/2025

**_When a peaceable family man is backed against a wall_** Shot in the late summer/early fall of 2004, this was described by director Cronenberg as “a meditation on the human body and its relationship to violence.” It comes in the tradition of “Straw Dogs,” addressing the same issues as “Billy Jack”; namely, absolute pacifism vs limited pacifism. The former never resorts to violence, even in the face of great evil, whereas the latter strives for peace, but turns to violence when justified. The New Testament supports limited pacifism not absolute pacifism, as some mistakenly think (see Luke 12:39, for instance). Yet there’s more going on as the film explores overcoming a troubled past for a new identity while tapping into the primal self if necessary. Viggo Mortensen is great here and he described it as “one of the best movies [he's] ever been in, if not the best.” Maria Bello is effective but lost what little curves she had and looks verging on anorexic. William Hurt shows up in the last act with a wink of amusement. There are similarities to “Killshot” with Mickey Rourke, Thomas Jane and Diane Lane, which came out three years later. If you like one, you’ll probably like the other. It runs 1 hour, 36 minutes, and was shot in the greater Toronto area with the town scenes done in Millbrook, which is an hour’s drive east of the city and a dozen miles inland from Lake Ontario. GRADE: B

Dr Nostromo

8/10

7/5/2026

80/100 After protecting his customers by killing a couple of serial killers, the owner of a small town café is proclaimed a hero. This attracts a gangster who swears the man is a former associate and killer. Moving along at a slow and steady pace, the film does an excellent job of keeping you questioning whether he is a former assassin or simply the wrong guy. The relationships are honest, personal, and painful and the build up to the climactic end is well crafted and satisfying. Good film! -- DrNostromo.com