  |
This article's content is marked as Mature The page contains mature content that may include coarse language, sexual references, and/or graphic violent images which may be disturbing to some. Mature pages are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older. If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page. Otherwise, you should close this page and view another page. |
| “ | [Richie yells and kills his own man after the man fails to kill Joey, he walks to the nearly dead henchman in confused look] How do you f*** that up? [Richie kicks his own man who just lays on the ground while Richie yells at him] How do you f*** that up?!?! [as Richie shoots his henchman dead] | „ |
| ~ Richie's most famous quote after his brother Tom's escape from him. |
| “ | You could do something, I guess. You could die, Joey. | „ |
| ~ Richie Cusack threatening to kill his own brother. |
Richard "Richie" Cusack is the main antagonist of the 2005 thriller film A History of Violence. He is a powerful crime boss who tries to eliminate his own brother, Joey.
He was portrayed by the late William Hurt, who also portrayed Marshall in Mr. Brooks and Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Richie is a high-ranking underboss in the Irish mob in Philadelphia, a position he presumably inherited from his late father. His younger brother, Joey, is a thorn in his side; his unpredictability and penchant for unnecessary violence reflects poorly on Richie in the eyes of the crime bosses on the Commission, who blame him for failing to control his brother. Consequently, Richie has been repeatedly denied advancement within the mob, and other crime lords treat him with veiled disrespect.
After killing several high-ranking gangsters and carving out Richie's right-hand man Carl Fogarty's eye during a brawl, Joey flees Philadelphia and lives in a small town in Indiana under the name Tom Stall. Over the next several years, he reinvents himself as a successful diner owner and family man, with his wife Edie and son Jack knowing nothing about his former life. Richie, meanwhile, is relieved that Joey is out of his life, but still resents him for ruining his chances to one day run the mob himself.
A History of Violence[]
Fifteen years after disappearing, "Tom" makes national news when he is forced to kill two thieves who had tried to rob his diner. Richie sees his brother on television and orders Fogarty to go to Joey’s new home and kill him. Ultimately, however, Jack kills Fogarty to save his father's life.
Richie calls Joey himself and tells him to meet with him in Philadelphia. Joey drives to Philadelphia and arrives at Richie's house, where Richie embraces his long-lost brother and welcomes him home. After making small talk about "the good old days", including revealing that he had tried to strangle his infant brother in his crib, Richie reveals his true colors by accusing Joey of ruining his and the mob's reputation. Joey says he wants to make peace, and asks what he can do to repair the damage he has caused. Richie coldly replies that he can die, and turns around as his two bodyguards move in to kill Joey with a garrote.
Joey manages to get the better of Richie's thugs, however, killing one and seriously wounding the other before escaping. Richie incredulously asks the surviving bodyguard, "How do you f-ck that up?" before shooting him in the face, killing him. He chases after Joey, who manages to shoot and wound him. As he lays helpless on the floor, he mutters, "Jesus, Joey..." before Joey executes him shooting him in the head.
Victims[]
- Ruben - Shot for his failure to kill Joey.
Trivia[]
- Hurt was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Richie Cusack.