# A History of Violence \*spoilers\* **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 20, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501 "2011-11-20T00:12:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/1 "2011-11-20T00:12:06Z")
I picked this movie up second-hand because I thought the premise sounded fairly interesting. I can’t say I didn’t like it but I was a bit disappointed in the direction it took. I thought it could have been an interesting examination of the effects on an ordinary everyday man of being caught up in events beyond his control and a look at the unexpected capabilities for violence that are inherent in most people. If I was making the film I would have changed the initial shooting scene in the diner slightly, I would have made it so that shooting the first person was justified whereas killing the second was more ambiguous, ie: he had been disarmed and was no immediate threat. Someone more talented than myself could make a movie about the guilt the main character suffers when everyone else is calling him a hero, and the reactions of the other people in the diner who know what he did, he did save their lives, do they owe it to him to hide his questionable actions? Thoughts? Or am I talking crazy-talk? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/2 "2011-11-20T00:39:13Z")
I loved that movie as it was, and would not change that aspect of it. I enjoyed seeing how the new life he created allowed him to be a quiet, nice guy. It raised the question of which of his identities is the real reflection of who he is. That all said - your script treatment is also interesting to me - how would we all act, and how far would we go. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/3 "2011-11-20T00:45:05Z")
I enjoyed the movie a lot, but found it somehow “unbalanced” in a way. That is, it almost seemed like two different (and incompatible) movies that were mashed together somehow. I never got that “full circle” feeling that most satisfying movies give you. It’s like a song that ends on the wrong note for its key. But none of these are meant as complaints, just interpretations. Knowing Cronenberg, that was probably part of his intention all along! And the ending was certainly awesome. It would make a good double feature with “Eastern Promises.” ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/4 "2011-11-20T02:11:42Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Thoughts? Or am I talking crazy-talk? 😉 Nope, not crazy. I feel the exact same. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/5 "2011-11-20T02:14:13Z")
Just a FYI, if you didn’t know the movie is based on a graphic novel. ---
**Author:** ![DxZero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DxZero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DxZero)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/6 "2011-11-20T02:20:11Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > I enjoyed the movie a lot, but found it somehow “unbalanced” in a way. That is, it almost seemed like two different (and incompatible) movies that were mashed together somehow. I never got that “full circle” feeling that most satisfying movies give you. It’s like a song that ends on the wrong note for its key. > > But none of these are meant as complaints, just interpretations. Knowing Cronenberg, that was probably part of his intention all along! And the ending was certainly awesome. It would make a good double feature with “Eastern Promises.” This. I felt the second half of “A History of Violence” was far different from the first half. They may have been on purpose, but I think the movie suffered because of it and the narrative felt jumbled. I enjoyed “Eastern Promises” far more. Armin Mueller-Stahl was a much more believable antagonist compared to William Hurt’s cartoonishness (Oscar nominations notwithstanding). ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/7 "2011-11-20T02:22:27Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Just a FYI, if you didn’t know the movie is based on a graphic novel. Which is quite a bit different - especially the backstory and conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/8 "2011-11-20T02:34:59Z")
I guess I’m alone in the fact that I hated this movie. I will admit to being biased against Maria Bello, but I tried to give it a shot. I thought it was boring, contrived, and slow. I’ve never seen exactly what the critics saw in it. Lest I be accused of threadshitting, **Girl Wonder** ordered it a few months back off of Netflix. I gave it another shot, and still didn’t like it. I wish that I could see what others see in this film. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/9 "2011-11-20T12:23:54Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I guess I’m alone in the fact that I hated this movie. I will admit to being biased against Maria Bello, but I tried to give it a shot. I thought it was boring, contrived, and slow. I’ve never seen exactly what the critics saw in it. > > Lest I be accused of threadshitting, **Girl Wonder** ordered it a few months back off of Netflix. I gave it another shot, and still didn’t like it. I wish that I could see what others see in this film. I never view an honest review as threadshitting. For me, discussion doesn’t mean everyone agrees. I remember enjoying it, but don’t really remember too much about it. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/10 "2011-11-20T12:44:39Z")
It was an interesting indie flic. Not worthy of the critical hype it got because of the director? True. It got way too action hero-ey at the end? Admitted. However, there was good acting, an interesting attempt at realistic representation of violence and was fairly entertaining. Can’t hate it. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/11 "2011-11-20T13:00:56Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > I thought it could have been an interesting examination of the effects on an ordinary everyday man of being caught up in events beyond his control and a look at the unexpected capabilities for violence that are inherent in most people. It could have been, but then it would have been a completely different movie. As it was, it was a film about an \*extraordinary \*man who had been pretending to be ordinary for years, until a chance occurance had brought back the incredible, atypical capacity for violence he always had but had managed to suppress. In other words, the exact opposite of what you said. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/12 "2011-11-20T13:50:11Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > It could have been, but then it would have been a completely different movie. As it was, it was a film about an \*extraordinary \*man who had been pretending to be ordinary for years, until a chance occurance had brought back the incredible, atypical capacity for violence he always had but had managed to suppress. In other words, the exact opposite of what you said. I know it would have been a different movie, that’s kind of my point. As I said I didn’t dislike the movie, just that it wasn’t what I expected and I thought an examination of the effects of violence committed by and to an ordinary man could _also_ have been an interesting avenue to explore. ---
**Author:** ![jordanr2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@jordanr2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordanr2)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/13 "2011-11-21T00:28:59Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > I know it would have been a different movie, that’s kind of my point. > > As I said I didn’t dislike the movie, just that it wasn’t what I expected and I thought an examination of the effects of violence committed by and to an ordinary man could _also_ have been an interesting avenue to explore. Seen _Breaking Bad_? ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/14 "2011-11-21T02:22:50Z")
> [@jordanr2](#): > > Seen _Breaking Bad_? Nope? Recommended? ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/15 "2011-11-21T03:51:36Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Nope? Recommended? I will… but I would have left out the comical stuff and ineptness. ---
**Author:** ![jordanr2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@jordanr2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordanr2)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/16 "2011-11-21T12:17:24Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Nope? Recommended? it’s worth watching at least a few episodes to see whether it might appeal to you - definitely on this wavelength of an ordinary guy haplessly drawn into illegal things, the show tracking his reactions and the changes in him all the while. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/17 "2011-11-21T12:32:04Z")
Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for it. ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/18 "2011-11-21T13:57:53Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for it. They’ve just been showing the 3rd season over here. Had barely heard of it, gave it a try. The first two episodes are kind of slow, after that I was addicted to the show like it was Blue Meth’. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/19 "2011-11-21T14:01:51Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for it. That is a whoosh right? ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501/20 "2011-11-21T18:45:06Z")
I agree with the OP’s assessment. I also felt like it was two movies. One with a reluctant hero and one with a cold-blooded assassin taking care of business. I’ve seen the second movie a bazillion times. I haven’t seen the first one very often and would have liked to have seen more. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-history-of-violence-spoilers/603501.md?page=2)