a history of violence

just saw a history of violence. in case you were thinking of seeing it.. don't. pretty crappy. i just finished watching it and have to cleanse my pallet by telling all you not to watch it.

there's not as much mystery to the plot as the previews seemed to indicate, ed harris is in it for a total of like 15 min. and too many violent images, etc, etc., etc. (all pretty unnecessary). The underlying premise seems to be "what is that 'evil other person' that's lurking inside all of us" (at least that's what some of the actors seem to indicate in the DVD). the movie is an examination of man's ability to do horrid things. and it questions whether man can become something different/something new after leaving a life filled with killing. but the possibility of redemption (an important quality for me as i watch a film) is very vague. the whole movie ends rather unresolved. the script apparently reads, "there is hope" at the end, but the actual movie (as you watch it) leaves you wondering whether or not that is the case.

if only i had known history of violence was made by the same guy who brought us the original Crash (1996)--the movie about people that get turned on by car wrecks. supposedly cronenberg is a complex director. perhaps. eXistenZ had some interesting elements. but his films often come at the expense of much moral discretion. there doesn't seem to be much question of showing blood/sex. its just a given. as i grow older i've noticed a growing sensitivity in my heart and mind to the glamorization of violent crimes in film. Godfather parts 1,2 are two of my favorite movies.. but the violence is handled differently there (if you've seen both history of violence and Godfather, please correct me if i'm wrong).

i've spent enough time on this. love to hear your thoughts if you've seen the movie. hope you can avoid it. my apologies to my buddy david who watched it with me tonight. what a waste of a $1 mickey d's movie... what a waste of film...