Ticket to the Movies: ‘A History of Violence’ has excellence in a dark, dark drama

FloridaGator80
A promotional still photograph from the movie “A History of Violence.”
A promotional still photograph from the movie “A History of Violence.”

Welcome back to my blog. Here’s my recommendation of a movie to check out today and hope you punch your “Ticket to the Movies!” OK, let’s take a turn into the dark side with the emotional roller coaster propelled by violence in the drama “A History of Violence” starring Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris and William Hurt, who earned an Oscar nomination for it with less than 10 minutes on screen.

A promotional still photograph from the movie “A History of Violence.”
A promotional still photograph from the movie “A History of Violence.”

“A History of Violence” is the story of a man whom everyone believes is quiet, respectful and kind of milquetoast. Everything changes when a pair of killers begin to rob the man’s diner and he explodes and opens a total can of whoop-ass on the two men. It is a brutal scene, but worse is yet to come.

Mortensen is that man and he has a past that’s defined simply as “A History of Violence.” He was in a gang in a big city until he decided to disappear and begin a rural life away from the crime and violence. Well, his rural, peaceful and family-friendly world disappeared with the destruction of the two killers in the diner and the accompanying news reports and attention in both town and the rest of the nation.

A promotional still photograph from the movie “A History of Violence.”
A promotional still photograph from the movie “A History of Violence.”

So, Harris appears. The gang has discovered Mortensen’s new life and Harris knows him well, as he carries facial disfiguration delivered years earlier by Mortensen wielding a weapon wrapped in barbed wire. Harris is the epitome of cruelty and evil and is the explosive element that forces Mortensen into trouble not only from his past, but also from within his family.

“A History of Violence” makes you uncomfortable through both violence and emotion, from the violence that comes natural to Mortensen to his son evolving and his own enjoyment of a satisfying taste of violence. Bello is the woman whose world has turned upside down and forced to confront too many issues too quickly.

A promotional still photograph from the movie “A History of Violence.”

Every actor gives his or her all in “A History of Violence.” You won’t find any weak links and will be especially impressed by the climactic scene between Mortensen and the leader of the gang: Hurt, who is his brother.

So, I say punch your “Ticket to the Movies!” or and watch “A History of Violence.” It’s available to rent or purchase on a variety of streaming services. So, find it! Watch it! Don’t worry, you’ll thank me later for “A History of Violence.”

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