Movie Review: Eastern Promises
“Eastern Promises” revolves around the differences between the secretive world of the russian mafia and russian descendents living in London, England. A young russian woman arrives at a hospital, bleeding and pregnant. The teenage mother dies but her daughter lives and is being cared for by a midwife at the hospital, Anna Khitrova. The midwife finds the young mother’s diary and asks her uncle to translate the diary. The head of the russian mafia, Semyon, shows interest in Anna and the baby. Semyon’s son Kirill and his driver, Nikolai become involved in the situation as Anna learns more and more about the diary and its content.
Viggo Mortensen is excellent as russian mafia driver and henchman Nikolai who steps in as needed when the mafia boss calls. His Oscar nominated performance is the highlight of this film. Armin Mueller-Stahl, Naomi Watts and Vincent Cassel do fine work here as well as supporting players Jerzy Skolimowski and Sinead Cusack.
The story moves along fairly well but can be somewhat muddy at times. The direction is good, the feel of the movie is dark in cinematography and scenery. The screenplay is interesting enough and reasonably well written, but the screenplay could be fleshed out better as a whole. The story leaves you wanting more information but not in a good way. A twist near the end of the film helps elevate it. Beyond the needed mystery involved in this particular storyline, a better screenplay might bring this film from good to great.
Viewers should be aware there is quite a bit of graphic violence in the film as well as full male nudity. This is a good movie with a standout performance by Mortensen, it is worth seeing this movie to see his Oscar nominated performance.
2007. Directed by David Cronenberg. Starring Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Jerzy Skolimowski, Sinéad Cusack, and Vincent Cassel.
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