Eastern Promises

[roddglenn]

I expected good things from this and wasn't disappointed. Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts play the two leads directed by Cronenberg.

Viggo plays Nikolai, a Russian mobster who is part of a ruthless Russian crime family in London. His carefully maintained existence is jarred when he crosses paths with Anna (Naomi Watts), an innocent midwife trying to right a wrong, who accidentally uncovers potential evidence against the family. A harrowing chain of murder, deceit, and retribution follows.

The acting is flawless throughout - Viggo in particular is extremely convincing in both his physical and mental portrayal of a very dangerous man, the camera work paints a bleak, mostly raining and cold picture of London, Cronenberg's direction is simplistic - rarely using nor needing gimicky shots or angles.

From earlier reviews (and the fact Cronenberg is the director) I figured it would be pretty violent, but it actually wasn't as bad as I thought. There are 3 scenes that are nasty and would have the more faint-hearted squirming in their seats, but overall it isn't a violent film. It is a story about 2 very different people who cross paths and are forever changed by their encounter.

A very good film.

 

[saliotthomas]

David Cronenberg films gains a lot since he is into more classic type of stories.An hirtory of violence was a masterpiece,Easter promise comfirme him as maybe one most interesting film maker of our days.Those last two remind me of Kubric first movies,in the story telling,the caracteres.

 

[roddglenn]

Yes, History of Violence certainly re-established him as a major player

 

[Fantasy Moon]

I've watched this movie twice this week, but I could easily watch it again even though I seen it this afternoon. Yes, Viggo is indeed wonderful in the film.

 

[lenny nero]

There wasn't one guy in the theater who didn't flinch during the attack in the steam bath.

 

[Fantasy Moon]

Yeah, I don't particularly care for that scene myself. I'm just going to skip it in future viewings.

 

[joderu95]

Nobody can say Viggo isn't dedicated to his craft.

 

[Scove]

Viggo Mortensen is great... impressed with him in most films... LOTR being tops ofc

 

[Fantasy Moon]

I made some screencaps for graphic design purposes. Most of them involve that snuggle and kiss scene at the end. We all know what my favorite part of the movie is!

 

[Fed_Da_Man]

David Cronenberg films gains a lot since he is into more classic type of stories

he's not really, it's just his last two films have been more standard fare. if you want to see what i mean you should check out these movies by him:

videodrome
crash
dead ringers
the brood
shivers
naked lunch
scanners

eastern promises isn't bad, but it's nothing compared to the stuff he was making in the 80's and 90's.

 

[lenny nero]

My faves are Videodrome, Dead Ringers, and Scanners, although pretty much all the flix on that list kick ass. I read the novel Twins that Dead Ringers is based on last year. It goes to even more darker places than the film.