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Cinema A La Carte Podcast – Episode 009 – A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005)

Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg is best known for his grindhouse and midnight movies back in the 1970’s and 1980’s, but as his career has evolved, he has become known as an award winning director for his dramas and thrillers as well.  In 2005, his movie A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE stunned audiences with his real world implications.  Based off the graphic novel of the same name by John Wagner and Vince Locke, the movie received nominations for Best Adapted Screen Play (by Josh Olson) at the Oscars.

Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is happily married to attorney Edie Stall (Maria Bello).  He’s the owner of a local diner and has two beautiful children.  When two on-the-run killers attempt to rob his restaurant, Tom is labeled a hero by local media as he saves his employees from a possible massacre.  When a strange group of men appear in town, Tom and his family’s life are turned upside down.  Who are these men and what do they want?

The film stars Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, and William Hurt in an Oscar nominated performance.  As a commentary on the violent nature of humanity and even on Hollywood’s and Cronenberg’s own knack for aggression in film, the movie is a reflection on all of us and as a society that seems to fetishizes our own violent nature.  Your co-hosts take a look at this interesting film and give their thoughts.

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