A History of Violence (New Line Platinum Series)
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Movie Reviews of A History of Violence (New Line Platinum Series)
Movie Review: Possibly Cronenberg's best film
Summary: 5 Stars
I finally got round to seeing this (on telly) and it's a great movie. Thoughtful, thought-provoking, unflinching. Cronenberg uses the theme of violence to explore other topics such as love, loyalty and redemption (notably all the family wear crosses). Excellent film, with great central performances from the always good Maria Bello and Viggo Mortensen.Movie Review: A History of Violence
Summary: 5 Stars
I had seen this movie before, but wanted to own it. It will always be up there as one of my all time favorite movies. It has everything--action, violence (but not gratuitous), sex and a storyline that really makes one think about how we view violence, when it seems acceptable and who really is the "bad guy." The sex scene on the stairs was erotic without being "trashy." Very believable. Movie Review: We never truly know people
Summary: 4 Stars
So much has been written about this film and the title. For most, the movie is about the way violence is encoded in our lives and how we all have an underlying current running through us. I think the movie is really the study of the relationship between the two main characters--Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) and Edie (Maria Bello).
These two actors are amazing the film, especially Bello, who deserves to become a household name. Their intereactions are always spot on as they drive the plot. The sideways glance, the tense look, the loving smile: every part means something.
These two characters are madly in love after seventeen or such years of marriage, and we see it through different ways. The first half of the movie is there to set up their relationship and the love they feel. But then everything is turned upside down, and we realize that these two people who have shared everything and love one another dearly really know nothing about what lies beneath. It's as if they have only shared a part of themselves.
It's this interaction and realization that makes the film so great. The plot almost seems beside the point; it's merely there to make use see the characters.
I give the film four stars instead of five because of some of the scenes were out of place, almost as if Cronenberg couldn't decide what kind of film to make. William Hurt is good at the end, for instance, but his character didn't fit. Watch the movie for the main characters' interactions and go along with the rest.
Movie Review: A modern masterpiece, but not for everyone.
Summary: 5 Stars
A lot has been written alread to discribe the plot and ideas of the film. I wish to only add that I consider this film a masterpiece. Yes, it is arguably too long, perhaps some unnecessary sex, unnecessary violence, but IMO, these are all within limits and not excessive and do contribute to the story.
The acting, filming, and themes are of film are amazingly well done. IMO, a modern masterpiece!
Highly recommended, but not to everyone.
Movie Review: absolutely terrible
Summary: 1 Stars
I have no idea why people like this. When it comes to comic book movies, I always try to read the book first, and I LOVED "A History of Violence" (the graphic novel), so I thought I'd love this movie.
Boy was I wrong. The plot is like a spoof of the book. There's no real captivating moments or tension; events just happen bam-bam-bam. Viggo acting "crazed" actually had me laughing AT the character. The villains are terrible; again seeming more like a spoof of a real movie. I'm supposed take this seriously?
There are TWO too-long sex scenes that I ended up fast-forwarding through because they were BORING and POINTLESS. If I wanted to watch extremely watered-down with-your-clothes-on sex, I'd turn around in the movie theater. The scenes had nothing to do with the plot, and I do not recall such tedious moments in the book.
The ending was also terrible. The ending itself was stupid and cliche and the acting was again absolutely laughable. I've seen better portrayals of "scary crazy man" in high school musicals.
Apparently, a lot of people have a different opinion somehow. My advice? If you haven't seen it and want to, find a friend to borrow it from first, so you don't end up wasting money on a horrible movie.