Probably the best knife fight I've ever seen in a movie. It was so hard to watch. I think everyone in the theatre had the same reaction I did. This scene will probably be the one that everyone remembers days, weeks, months from now.

 

The deaths however, are quite cartoonish. I noticed this in another Cronenberg film, A History of Violence. Nothing wrong with them, just thought I'd point it out.

 

It has a lot of similarities with The Godfather. Specifically the brother dynamic of Michael and Fredo Corleone. Armin Mueller-Stahl does a great job as the head of the Russian crime family. Might see a nomination coming his way. Viggo Mortensen also gives us a great performance as Nikolai the driver.

 

There is a lot to recommend for this movie but keep in mind that there is no 'hero' in this movie. You're really not suppose to like anyone. Naomi Watts is not pegged as heroine even though the role (in most movies) calls for it. This could be looked as a triumph or a fault. I tend to think it's the former.

 

I'm not going to ruin the ending, but one the last shots is very reminiscent to the last shot in Godfather Part II. It's a very good mob film and we haven't had one of those in a while.

 

8.5/10

 

Edit: I just read Ebert's review of it and in it he says

sets the same kind of standard that The French Connection set for chases. Years from now, it will be referred to as a benchmark.

I wholeheartedly agree.

i thought a history of violence was terrible...seemed like everyone lined up for a paycheck and little else...plus i think viggo mortensen can carry a film as well as "the rock" can...

I saw it on a free movie pass from work. Really liked it. I think Viggo Mortensen did a great job.

 

As far as the knife fight scene goes, i did think it was a lil bit funny. Why didn't those random guys just get the hell out of the steam room.

I saw it on a free movie pass from work. Really liked it. I think Viggo Mortensen did a great job.

 

As far as the knife fight scene goes, i did think it was a lil bit funny. Why didn't those random guys just get the hell out of the steam room.

I was laughing too. I'm not sure what that really means though. :lol

 

I don't think I've ever experienced laughing and trying to look away from the screen at the same time ever before in a movie. Borat probably comes the closest to my weird description.

 

More people need to see this movie!!!

Considering A History of Violence was based on a comic, it's not surprising that the style of the deaths were stylized to reflect that or how you put it: 'cartoonish'.

Comic or not, I'm led to believe that this is Cronenberg's own personal style. I'd have to watch/re-watch some of his old movies like The Fly, The Dead Zone, and Scanners to confirm my thoughts.