Despite my love for the “bodily horror” of David Cronenberg’s earlier work in films such as The Brood and Dead Ringers, I must admit that I’ve been enjoying his departure from that theme over the course of his last few films. A History of Violence, much like 2002’s Spider, is an excellent film, yet not without its faults. A History of Violence tells the story of normal, small-town man named Tom Stall who is confronted with violence when a criminal duo attempt to rob his diner. Not wanting to see his employees and patrons murdered, he erupts into action and kills both men in a daring act of self-defense. However, when a trio of gangsters show up in town claiming that Tom isn’t who or what he says he is, things go from bad to worse. Perhaps the biggest problem with this film is that Tom’s family is portrayed in terms so pure and normative that they stretch the boundaries of disbelief. Nevertheless, the film is saved by the strength of the main actors’ performances (Viggo Mortensen is particularly suited to his role) and Cronenberg’s poignant use of physical and emotional violence.

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