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Visit the official site, http://www.historyofviolence.com/,
click on “q & a” and you will be taken to a page
where you can now read Director David Cronenberg's answers to fans'
questions (Available August, September 2005).
Here is one "q & a":
"John
Elliott: Would you recommend reading the graphic novel prior
to seeing the movie? How much of the film is based on the
graphic novel? "
Director
David Cronenberg: "No I wouldn't. Only the first fifteen
minutes or so of the film is directly related to the novel. After
that, they go their separate ways. Reading the novel could spoil
some of the movie for you, though, so I'd suggest reading it afterwards if
you're interested."
_______________
The
title of this movie sounds like a college professor's reading assignment
for the semester, when you will be tested on it during the famed
"finals" and your only help was a syllabus.
Despite this
"academic" headliner, the title is clear on what the story will
be about. There is nothing more clear than saying, "A History
Of Violence."
According to the comic
book, a man, (Viggo's character, Tom McKenna--Last name has been changed
to "Stall" in movie), who is living a quiet, "normal" life gets a lot of
attention after a supposed self-defense act at a diner that he owns. Was it really self-defense or a continuation of
"hiding" his violent past to protect his current family life
which he eventually finds out becomes more difficult to maintain?
Twists in the story would be welcome!
A
History of Violence (directed by David Cronenberg) book is listed at Amazon, but no copies are
available on today's date, July 31, 2004. (A
History of Violence paperback comic book is now available at Amazon.
Some are available on this date, January 28, 2005).
The date now is October
25, 2004. I have read the book. Thanks to Nancy, an incredible
fan who got hold of a copy and sent me the book as a gift! If you
thought the book was a novel, it's not! It's a comic book!
Written by John Wagner
and art is by Vince Locke. The picture on the front cover online is
not "very clear." On the book cover, it shows a bat,
barbed wire, an ax with blood on the tip and an electric drill. All
items lie on a pool of blood. When I saw this, I prepared myself for
what I was about to read. It's pretty gruesome and hard to
believe. It's hard to believe people commit such violent and
psychopath acts (although wars in our lifetimes make you wonder). I've been told that the violence on this book is
not a surprise especially if you've seen movies like Goodfellas and Casino which I have not yet seen.
First impression is
that the violent actions of Viggo's character stem from his love of his
family. He's the good guy and does not commit acts that are as
violent as the mafia. However, Viggo's character, Tom McKenna's love
for his grandmother, wife and kids, can be a strength as shown in the end,
but also a weakness as shown in the beginning. His act in the
beginning out of love for his grandmother is what gets him into trouble.
Although McKenna may feel that his actions to help his grandmother are
justified because what he is doing is taking back what the mafia takes
unlawfully.
It will be interesting
if Viggo wears glasses like how Tom McKenna is drawn in the comic book
that would seem to be easier to adapt to the screen because the comic book is
already in pictures, the dialogue is clear-cut, and there are no lengthy,
additional subplots.
Prepare yourself for
the gruesome scenes, if the movie stays true to the book.
If you are a true Viggo
fan, simply enjoy Viggo and his work and don't let the violence keep you
from seeing this movie or reading the book!
History
of Violence movie pictures.
More on this movie--pictures
now included at http://www.thezreview.co.uk/comingsoon/a/ahistoryofviolence.shtm
A
History Of Violence Index
Viggo Mortensen Index
See
more testimonials here!
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