Viggo Mortensen gives a remarkable performance as Tom Stall, the lead character in David Cronenberg’s new feature, A History of Violence.

It is not easy to put into words extremely positive feelings about working for a director without sounding like someone who is doing fawning-as-usual for public consumption and probably trying to advance one’s career in a business renowned for shameless ass-kissing.

That being said, I am very happy to join what must by now be hordes of men and women grateful to have had the chance to collaborate with David Cronenberg. Over the last 20 years, I have had the good fortune to work for many talented people, but never have I felt as easily connected to a director on so many levels. From our first meeting, the line of communication has always been open, respectful and stimulating.

As pressed for time as he might occasionally have been, inconvenienced by bad weather or other obstacles common to any shoot, David never lost his good manners or twisted sense of humor. He seems to have the rare ability to be thoroughly prepared and exacting, while remaining open to adjusting course at any given moment based on timely accident, input from others or signals from the mysterious recesses of his fertile imagination. This points not only to his acute intelligence and innate grace, but also to how comfortable he is with himself and his ability to calmly draw on his hard-won experience.

I’d happily kiss his ass again any time.