When I received my advanced copy of Easter Promises, I was very excited. I love dark Crime/Drama , and I love Viggo Mortensen’s ability to capture my attention. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this movie, but one thing is certain.. it is perhaps the best movie I have seen in 2007.
The Plot
The film follows the mysterious and ruthless Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen), who is tied to one of London’s most notorious organized crime families. 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. Now Nikolai must put into motion a harrowing chain of murder, deceit, and retribution.
The Action
Reminded me of the Godfather and The Departed. Memorable scenes included Viggo Mortensen fighting, all while completely nude, in a Russian bath house. If you are looking for car chases and a whole bunch of explosions, you won’t find it, perhaps thats why I enjoyed Eastern Promises so much.
Favorite Scenes
Images of Viggo cutting the fingers and pulling the teeth, from the dead body, are still with me today. Great effects when the mafia is slitting the throats, it looked very real.
The Verdict
Naomi Watts was spectacular, because they kept her role very down to earth. She wasn’t a hero out of the ordinary, she was just a curious stranger involved in a situation out of her control. Vincent Cassel {You’ll remember him from Ocean’s 12) was incredible in his role as Kirill, the son of the head of the largest crime family in London. The clumsy, out of control, son brings a very real dimension to the movie.
The movie is dark, has very memorable and graphic scenes and never lets the plot unravel till the end. Too often, these days, the plot is revealed far too early for my liking. Eastern Promises held my attention till the end, it was a pleasure to sit through.
Survery Says!
Rent it, watch it.. and enjoy… I haven’t been recommending a lot of movies lately, but this one is one of the best in 2007. If you can find a more convincing actor than Viggo Mortensen, show me.. go ahead.. I dare you.
Tags: Action 2007, Best of 2007, Crime 2007, Naomi Watts, The Maffia, Thriller 2007, Viggo Mortensen
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Eastern Promises
Starring: Naomi Watts; Vincent Cassel and Armen Mueller-Stahl
Brutal world of the Russian mafia
Eastern Promises is a dark film exploring the misogynistic underbelly of a rotten breed of people. Deep within London’s thriving metropolis is a Russian mafia syndicate dabbling in prostitution, bootlegging and narcotics.
A 14-year-old girl inexplicably collapses in a hospital ward, leaving nothing but a diary behind. When a nursing sister (Wattts) takes a personal interest in the case, she gets involved in a sadistic saga way beyond her reckoning.
The old mafia kingpin (Mueller-Stahl) runs a tight ship, but he is morally corrupt man with a penchant for young flesh. So begins a hunt for the truth in the deepest, darkest corners of a violent world. Nothing is what it appears, but the truth must find a way to emerge.
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