Eastern Promises (Ws)

I had watched David Cronenberg's other movie "A History of Violence" recently, and wasen't sold on it. So I wanted to see if it was just the film I didn't like, or was it the director himself. While watching this film, I have to say, I think it is the director. The movie has a great plot, I personally haven't seen many Russian Mafia movies, and he once again gets fantastic performances. Viggo Mortensen is brilliant, truly a great performance. Vincent Cassel is also great, and Naomi Watts is okay, but by no means great. While writing this, I am having reminders of my review for " A History of Violence". I said the exact thing there, great performances brought down by poor direction. I also wasen't a big fan of the ending of that movie, and this ending isn't much better. I don't want to spoil the movie, but the ending just seems anti-climatic. The reason this movie gets a better grade that "A History of Violence" is because the chemistry between Viggo Mortensen and Vincent Cassel is great, I loved the scenes they were together. This movie is far superior to Cronenberg's other movies, but he still is the weak link to an otherwise good movie.

This intriging movie with graphic violence exposes the callous underbelly of the Russian Mafia, exposing the myth of the benevolent mafia don. You like to be surprised? There are unexpected twists & turns in this movie. In the graphic footsteps of Mob violence established by Reservoir Dogs, this movie spares none. The steamroom attack is so real I avoided a sauna for weeks :) Recommended.

I liked this movie directed by David Cronenberg although I haven't seen too many films from him yet. There were alot of disturbing scenes which was to be expected since it was a mafia tale, but a great story and brilliant acting by Viggo Mortensen. The ending though just seemed to happen so quickly and didn't quite feel complete with the rest of how the story unfolded

Eastern Promises, released December 23rd on DVD, is a David Cronenberg movie starring Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl and Vincent Cassel. I wanted to see this when it was first released to theatres but only got the opportunity this past weekend. Along with screenwriter Steven Knight, Cronenberg has created a powerful, complex and intriguing film about good, evil and the questionable in between.

It's a violent, complicated thriller that starts its story at a London, England emergency room as Anna Khitrova, a midwife, played by Watts, delivers a baby following the abrupt arrival of the mother at the hospital. She is bleeding, obviously in great distress and close to death. The very young woman is pronounced dead following the birth but the baby and a diary survive, a diary written in Russian that may or may not lead the hospital to the identity of next of kin. In an attempt to decipher the diary, Anna approaches a Russian social club owner, played by Mueller-Stahl to assist in the translation, and unknowingly puts herself in the crosshairs of the Russian mafia. Armin Mueller-Stahl is one of those fantastic character actors that you see in a movie but can't quite place his name, immensely talented and a key to the telling of this story.

If you enjoyed the last major release from Cronenberg, A History of Violence, you will again appreciate the talent of this Canadian director. He may not always be easy to watch, often violent and raw, but intelligent and top notch. Joining him again is Viggo Mortensen, playing "the driver" Nikolai, a mysterious Russian trusted for his discretion and loyalty to the club owner. Mortensen does an incredible job of portraying this Russian made man, covered in tattoos, unflinching in his ability to follow orders and downright scary to watch. If you haven't seen A History of Violence, this is a perfect double feature on a Saturday night in your home theatre.

I won't go into any further detail about the story itself, too much will give away the good parts, but it's a great bet, Cronenberg doesn't disappoint and the casting alone makes it a must see.
You won't regret this buy!