David Cronenberg's A History of Violence is not a commentary on the violence of modern American society. It's not a study, nor does he pose questions for us to answer. What he seems to do is offer ideas about the nature of identity. Tom Stall, as we meet him, is a mild-mannered, gentle, Indiana diner operator. He has a loving wife, a passionate relationship, a son who reflects the same gentle nature, and a very cute young daughter. He knows everyone in town, everyone knows him. Jimmy Stewart could have done this role in his sleep.

One evening two major scumbags step into the diner. Their intent is robbery and terror. Tom is solicitous and acquiescent up until the point an employee is about to be murdered. In less than 15 seconds, Tom attacks and kills both intruders with an efficiency and decisiveness that stands in bold contrast to the personality we were introduced to.

The incident makes Tom not only a local hero but one whose story makes national news. Days later, three very menacing gentlemen enter the diner and the boss of the trio begins addressing Tom as Joey - Joey Cusack, an old gangster acquaintance from Philadelphia. Tom denies any acquaintance with the one-eyed gangster and tries to dismiss it as mistaken identity -- except there is the problem of how easily he killed the robbers.

Is Tom Stall really Joey Cusack? Is this well-liked and loved gentle man a brutal and efficient killer from Philadelphia?

Viggo Mortensen plays Tom Stall and one of Mortensen's gifts is that he can play both meek and fierce and transition from one to the other with subtle changes in body language. While we eventually learn the truth (more quickly than I had anticipated), Mortensen does not give it up easily. We're never quite sure until he gives it up himself.

I think the questions Cronenberg posits are these:

What is identity? He asks this question by offering to use the sharply contrasting personalities of Tom Stall and Joey Cusack? Can identity change? Is the personality of Tom Stall genuine or is Joey Cusack the real thing? Can environment effect or alter personality? Could Tom Stall exist in urban Philadelphia? Could gangster Joey Cusack exist in small town Indiana? Does a family follow the personality of its dominant member? Is Tom Stall's family sweet and loving because he is? Do they turn violent and aggressive because Joey is?

Cronenberg provides no answers. He simply seems to offer up the ideas and leaves it to us to sort them out.