A History of Violence (2005) - 2nd time

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards:

Best Supporting Actor: William Hurt

Best Adapted Screenplay

A History of Violence is a film I wanted to give a second shot, because I wasn’t its biggest fan 14 years ago, and other people seem to have such fond memories about it. In all fairness, there was potential throughout and there are scenes that really work, but the screenplay is a mess overall, especially in the way it presents the family dynamic. There’s every cliché in the book in building this family (the sensitive son that’s bullied by a cartoonish jock, the little girl with blonde hair, the hot loving wife), and it creates some cringy scenes and the dialogue is tragic. Unfortunately, the family is featured A LOT, with poor roles and poorer casting.

What saves the film a bit (and why I think people remember it more fondly) is all the action going on. Whenever we have just Viggo vs the bad guys, the film works and has a different kind of energy. Viggo is not without blame himself, surprisingly unable to carry the film. The real stars are Ed Harris and William Hurt (who got nominated for a ~9 minute scene at the end of the film 🙂 , but he made it memorable). The villains are a breath of fresh air. But nominating this screenplay for an Oscar is a big mistake.

Some would say Maria Bello, playing the wife, was robbed of Oscar love. No. She overacts beginning to end, also drowning in that unconvincing family dynamic.

I give it: 5/10

IMDB LINK