A History of Violence is a stilted look into the American dream. It is obvious from the very first scene of the movie, because the two men we meet seem to have more about them than what we are seeing. Everything is slowly paced as they are packing and checking out of a sleazy motel. Cinematography is at it's best in this opening scene, because the camera stays fixed on one man as the other man goes and checks out of the motel. Seemingly nothing at all happens as we wait, but when the other man comes back he tells our perspective to go back in the office and get some water. As he slowly makes his way into the building, he shuffles around looking for spare change in the pay phone and carelessly checks the stand of post cards. Making his way to the water cooler the...