Eastern Promises (2007)

Dark drama that requires your attention

Eastern Promises delivers on acting, plot and drama and for that you will certainly want to see it... but be forewarned.

This movie received an R rating for a reason and I would not show it to any kids younger than high school age. The violence in it is graphic for a reason - realism. The subject matter is shocking at times, because you are dealing with very disturbing topics, so be prepared.

The story is that of the Russian mob in London, which primarily follows the actions of one family, and specifically the duties of a driver within that mobster family. The movie does a good job of explaining the Russian mob and how it operates throughout the film. To accomplish this it uses the sub plot of a maternity nurse who discovers a diary that belonged to a young pregnant Russian immigrant. The pregnant girl dies while giving birth in the nurse's hospital. The diary, and uncovering the facts and secrets within are what leads the nurse to encounter the mob firsthand.

Throughout the movie, the plot and twists are done exceptionally well and will keep you trying to figure everything out. If you don't like movies where you need to focus on everything said, or don't like ones you have to think too hard about them, then Eastern Promises might not be your cup of tea. If you like movies that keep you on the edge of your seat and trying to figure it all out - you'll enjoy this one. The revelation discovered about the driver/mobster is well worth it the price of the DVD!

The movie moves along at a good pace and never leaves you bored with any of the scenes. The final thirty minutes of the movie mixes enough action and twists to satisfy even the harshest of critics. Enjoy it and be prepared to cringe now and again! October 6, 2008

Mobster with a heart?

wow...I liked it on the big screen and this is almost as good. Viggo Mortensen is certainly versatile, and adding this to his wide body of work is cool. Sometimes it was difficult to know where the story is located, but I suppose that's a realistic pitcure of how groups can change city locales. The story moves well and the end is very satisfying. September 30, 2008

Makes The Godfather seem like a nursery story

This 2007 British import is one of the bloodiest and violent films I have ever seen. It's about the Russian mafia in London and there are scenes in this film that makes The Godfather seem like a nursery story. Perhaps it's because there is less censorship nowadays but whatever it is, the film feels real, the plot fast and easy to follow and the acting superb.

Set in London, Naomi Watts is cast as a nurse in a maternity war who has problems of her own. She's English born but she lives with her mother and Uncle, both of whom are Russian émigrés. When a teenage girl in her care gives birth and then dies, she has deep feelings for the baby. She therefore sets out to uncover the mystery of the teenager who has left a diary in the Russian language, which she, herself, cannot read. She asks her uncle to translate it and when he refuses she goes to an older Russian man who owns an upscale Russian restaurant and who seems to be grandfatherly to everyone around them.

While this is going on, the audience sees some vile murders, and one grizzly scene where Viggo Mortenson, cast as a Russian chauffeur, has to dispose of a body. He works for the older Russian man and his wild and crazy son played by Vincent Cassel. Violence is everywhere. Young girls are brought from Russia and forced into brothels. There is greed, deception and horrific murders.

Naomi Watts starts to uncover the truth, and Viggo Mortenson, who was nominated for an Academy Award for this role, starts to befriend her. There is a stoic cold blooded calmness about him that is quite unnerving. Then, he is central to one scene in a Russian bathhouse which is the most violent I have ever seen.

How this all plays makes for really good drama. I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. Then, by the end of the film, all the loose ends are tied up in satisfactory way that makes sense. Good filmmaking.

Recommended, especially for those who are not afraid of nonstop action and violence. September 29, 2008

Blood In the Borscht

A man sitting in the barber chair unassumingly gets his throat slashed. A fourteen year-old girl dies in child birth leaving behind a diary whose contents causes mayhem within the Russian Mob in London. "Eastern Promises" is a good film but falls short of it's potential. The underlying mystery is OK but nothing earth shattering. The film has good ethnic color but doesn't shed much light on the inner workings of the Russian Mob. The film's main strengths are terrific lead performances by Viggo Mortensen as the mysterious gangster Nikolai and Naomi Watts as a mid-wife of Russian extraction who is drawn into the sordid events depicted in the film. "Eastern Promises" is worth checking out with minor qualification. Not for the squeamish, though. September 14, 2008

Eastern Promises

I liked this movie but... I thought it was very interesting and action movie. when the movie ended I looked at my kids and said. Is that it? I don't recomend it for children under 13. it's mostly for adults. There's nudity and violence. Some secenes toward the end it made my oldest son turn his head.And he's 22. August 28, 2008

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