Eastern Promises (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 90

O Masterpiece (95-100)
X Excellent (75-94)
O Rental (60-74)
O OK (50-59)
O Mediocrity (30-49)
O Avoid (1-29)

Review by Jason Pyles / September 27, 2007

“Eastern Promises” is an uncomfortably uneasy film. Watching it is like walking through a minefield. This is the kind of movie where you don’t feel safe, even though you know you’re seated in a cushy theater chair.

But don’t misunderstand me: It’s not that “Eastern Promises” is overly suspenseful; that’s not it. The reason this movie is excellent is its characters are so diabolical, we squirm with anxiety about what they might do next. Indeed, there are several loose cannons rolling around on board this ship.

If you’re a Mafia movie fan, as I am, then you’ll be familiar with Joe Pesci’s explosive roles, such as his Tommy DeVito in “Goodfellas” (1990). But “Eastern Promises” has similar (but less flamboyant) nut-jobs who are sleeping tigers, and Naomi Watts’ character repeatedly kicks them.

Anna (Naomi Watts) works in a hospital in London. One of her less fortunate patients has to deliver her baby early, due to hemorrhaging. The tiny child is orphaned at birth. But Anna finds the mother’s diary, which recounts her dark, dreary days. The journal’s contents, written in Russian, are potentially deadly.

Also inhabiting London are some members of the Vory V Zakone (the Russian Mafia). Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl) is a wealthy restaurateur with an emotionally unstable son, Kirill (Vincent Cassel, “Ocean’s 12”). They employ the fearsome Siberian named Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen) who coyly claims that’s he’s “just a driver,” but we know (and fear) that he’s so much more.

In true Mafia fashion, these three are capable of anything — especially any unthinkable thing. And Anna, incapable of apathy, insists on having the dangerous diary translated in hopes of finding out whom the baby should belong to.

Now, if you doubt whether Viggo Mortensen could ever pull off “frightening” and a convincing Russian accent, all at the same time, then you’re dead wrong. His performance, mark my words, is Oscar-nomination worthy.

“Eastern Promises” is an exceptional film. It is also gruesome and graphic. This movie isn’t your grandpa’s Mafia, in the vein of the 1930s gangster pictures. “Eastern Promises” has the same grit as a Scorsese film: atmospheric, moody, horrifying and wonderful.

Directed by David Cronenberg
Naomi Watts / Viggo Mortensen / Vincent Cassel
100 min. Thriller / Crime
MPAA: R (for strong brutal and bloody violence, some graphic sexuality, language and nudity)

Copyright 2007. 189