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A History of Violence: Films
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This slippage between myth and realism, or maybe expectation and consummation, is precisely the genius of A History of Violence. While it's easy to be thrilled by the hard-hitting and frequently explosive action (fantastic action-movie action), the film ... asks you to step back and contemplate the ideals, costs, and bodies in play. Tom's mutation -- seemingly before your eyes -- into a killer is surely startling. And Edie's struggle to believe him and also to protect her children is surely poignant (Bello is stunning). But the more crucial point has to do with what you want to see: a revenge picture, a familial resolution, a heroic triumph, a just punishment, or maybe some hysterical combination of all. If A History of Violence is, to some extent, a history of U.S. excesses and self-images, it is also a critique of unself-conscious consumption of same.
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Released in the UK by Entertainment, A History of Violence comes not only with a fine presentation, but ... special features identical to those found on the US edition. The film itself arrives in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio with anamorphic enhancement and, for the most part, is treated to a flawless transfer. The print is spotless, the low-key palette is ably handled and the level of detail as you’d expect from such a new a production. The only discernible flaw is the presence of some minor edge enhancement during some of the early scenes, though this is by no means a distraction. As for the soundtrack, the disc goes for the original DD5.1 recording and it comes across without difficulties. Crisp and clear throughout, it copes just as well with Howard Shore’s score as it does the dialogue (from whispers to Stephen Hattie’s jolt-inducing cry of “COFFEE!!”).
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Though its title makes it sound like a documentary, A History of Violence is nothing of the sort. The film starts with the aftermath of criminal activity at a motel. Leland Jones (Stephen McHattie) and William Orser (Greg Bryk) amble out after they kill a number of people there.
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A History of Violence's nearest bedfellow in the Shore filmography is Silence of the Lambs, both sharing a deep sense of unease, even if the suspense here isn't chilling in quite the same way. As with Silence of the Lambs, the score is rather hard work, with little let up from the dense orchestration and gloom. Make no mistake, this is a finely wrought work with plenty to comment it, but the tone isn't hugely appealing and the occasional flickers of light (such as in Tom or Ending) are short lived and still cut with a dash of melancholy. Not one of the composer's most memorable or striking efforts, but expertly crafted with atmosphere to spare.
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A History of Violence is a must see. It provides the intelligent and realistic commentary on contemporary society that has been absent from most recent films. It is ... disturbingly realistic. Violence is not a piece of entertainment; it is a work of art.
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A History of Violence is a fairly average Action/Drama film. While the acting is acceptable, the storyline just lacks something special. The concept could have been made into a great film, but unfortunately it fails to live up to it’s potential.
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