The film opens with scenes depicting two violent criminals who’ve committed robbery and murder at a motel before moving on to a nearby town where Viggo Mortensen portrays "Tom," the owner of a diner. The men stop in one afternoon, looking to stir up trouble, but find that their host is tougher than they expected. Soon after, “Tom” is celebrated as a hero, and his wife, "Edie" (Maria Bello), and children, "Jack" (Ashton Holmes) and "Sarah" (Heidi Hayes), are pleased to have him around. However, he didn't foresee that the resulting publicity would draw the attention of one-eyed mobster "Fogarty" (Ed Harris), who begins addressing him as “Joey.” The identity of this “Joey” is revealed gradually, and it becomes apparent that appearances can be deceiving, and past events have a way of resurfacing. While violent in nature, I found the film surprisingly restrained visually as the story unfolds, and William Hurt’s appearance marks an increase in intensity that combines darkly humorous threats with a somewhat foreseeable ending. The script isn't particularly talkative—though not quite reaching the level of Clint Eastwood films—and Mortensen carries the movie effectively throughout its progression. I believe it could have benefited from about thirty more minutes to allow for better development of the characters and their backstories, but even as is, it’s a worthwhile viewing experience.

Source on TMDB