A great companion piece to David Cronenberg's last film A History of Violence, and at least as strong. It's amazing how much the guy matured over the past decade or so, as these two films are flawlessly framed and shot in a manner that wows just as much in it's long, smooth takes and it's deliberate nature. Both films are about gangsters, and both films feature these thugs being killed in some extremely bloody and violent ways. Yet while it's hard to imagine Cronenberg doesn't have fun shooting scenes of people being mutilated in multiple brutal ways - his camera really relishes the "money shots" - both Promises and Violence are about much more than exploiting carnage. Eastern Promises has two things going for it that A History of Violence did not. One is a flawless performance from Viggo Mortensen, and the other is an added sense of complexity. That's not to say that A History of Violence doesn't have many things to say about how hurting and killing is used in our culture and how it never really leaves, just like it's not implying that Eastern Promises is any less efficient or straight forward than it's predecessor. Rather, the story is slightly less linear in that it's not all told from one man's point of view, working as an indictment against the evils of the Russian mafia just as well as a gripping thriller. It's never preachy, or pretensious, and the cast (my favorite other than Viggo was Watt's uncle) impresses across-the-board. Much like A History of Violence, some will complain that the film ends without everything tied up in the satisfactory bow they would like. But I'm grateful for Cronenberg's gangster double features for being the rare films that end without wearing out their welcomes even though they know how damn good they are.

I'm debating on whether I wanna see this tomorrow afternoon. I hate going to movies alone, but I'm home and I should take advantage of the fact that my small theater actually got it.

I can't wait to see this tomorrow. I'll call my dad up and see if he wants to go.

Is there a movie theater near Rutgers?

Yeah, but I have no time over there.

I'm not yet sure whether I absolutely loved it or just thought it was quite good, but in either case, there's at least one scene that's awesomazing and worth the ticket price alone.

I love freakin' David Cronenberg!

He has this wonderfully restrained sense of style. He never calls attention to himself or the camera, but there is simply no denying the meticulous and precise composition of his frame. He shoots mostly from straight ahead, bathing his actors in overhead light. This creates the truly palpable sense of underlying dread that something really bad is going to happen really soon that is found in all of his movies, and generally the promise of violence in a Cronenberg movie is followed through on in unanticipatedly gruesome ways. Eastern Promises is no exception, as it fits perfectly into the narrative mold of buildup-buildup-buildup-cathartic act of violence that Cronenberg has mastered in his late films. This is a patient movie that takes its time getting to where it needs to be, and you are never in doubt that Cronenberg is in complete control, even when the plot twists start coming fast and furious. He even gets to dabble in his body horror and strange/uncomfortable sexuality fetish's this time around, using the tattoos of the Vory V Zakone and a certain character's not-so-closeted homosexuality to fantastically warped effect.

Eastern Promises is a masterpiece, crafted by one of the few truly independent and transgressive filmmakers working today.

An amazing, captivating motion picture that is truly one of the year's very best films. In addition to being impeccably directed by the skilled David Cronenberg, the acting on display is just flawless. Viggo Mortensen delivers a revelatory performance that can only be described as mesmerizing. His layered portrayal is fascinating to watch, and he easily delivers the best performance of his career so far. Naomi Watts is wonderful as one of the film's only sympathetic characters, and is the real heart and soul of the story that is being told. Vincent Cassel also deserves notice, delivering an understated yet equally powerful performance as the misunderstood son of a Russian mob boss. The camerawork is stunning, the musical score is effective and the story is unpredictable and exciting. This is a must-see film and a new personal favorite of mine for sure.

A

I actually thought this was slightly better than David Cronenberg's previous picture, A History of Violence. Viggo Mortensen was quite good in that film, but he's outstanding here. His Nikolai is a mysterious, captivating figure who the audience is consistently trying to decipher. Naomi Watts has much less to work with, but gives the kind of solid performance audiences expect from her. Vincent Cassel is credible, while Armin Mueller-Stahl comes across as dynamic and intimidating without going over-the-top. This movie has a fair share of graphic violence (numerous throat slashings, and of course, the now-famous "naked bathhouse duel to the death" sequence), but it doesn't feel gratuitious. Eastern Promises isn't perfect, but it has undeniable power and entertainment value. A few nominations are deserving come Oscar time, notably Viggo. A-

B, a mostly average film that only gains complexity from the last half-hour. It's a film better when remembered in retrospect than during the experience.

Fantastic movie except for the ending. How can you keep a movie like this open for a sequel? We want to know what happens to Viggo's character, wtf.

The acting was superb and the storyline was mesmerizing. I think the best actor in this movie was Cassel, followed closely by Mortensen. Great movie deserving of any awards it receives.

A-

saw it friday and am still thinking about the film. Mortensen and Cassel should get some love from the academy. Final 30 minutes were amazing. The two major plot points about Anna and Nikolai i thought were brushed over too quickly

B+

A wonderful gem of a film. This is definitely a film-goer kind of movie, as most mainstream movie goers will most likely find it boring and tedious. For the people that can appreciate it, it's a real treat. The acting is top notch from everyone, even the littlest supporting characters. The direction is some of the best of the year. The script is phenomenal and has many twists and unexpected turns and the cinematography is fantastic. I hope this isn't forgotten come Oscar time because it really deserves some nominations. Definitely recommended for most people here.

9/10 (A)

Strong performances amidst a sadly unworthy storyline.

Cronenberg, like in his recent History of Violence, once again brings heat to his pitch, only having it fizzle on delivery. It all looks so darn good, it's hard to criticize the hokey finish to this turkey, but there ya have it - - I'm criticizin' this gobbler...

2 out of 5.

The way Cronenberg slowly peels the layers away from everybody (well, except Watts) is masterful. The film starts off appearing standard and kinda vague, but by the end, he has methodically carved out all the motives and relationships for us. The structure is fascinating, I think.

I like A History of Violence just a little bit more, but this is a fantastic film. The reveal that begins the final minutes of the film caught me completely off guard and I loved that. If I only have a small problem with the film, it's with Howard Shore's score. It's beautiful and stunning, but if it's possible, it's somehow a little too much of both. Although the scenes where Watts' character is reading from the diary, featuring the music, sound beautiful, it's a little too much and comes off as a little overdramatic. It kind of ruined the tone in some places.

A

***

Good movie. Yep, that's all I got.

Totally agree with this.

I'd add that some of the camera shots were utterly superb like the view of Viggo thru the flame in the restaurant or the up close and raw way the fight in the bath house was filmed.

To coin a Makeshift phrase this movie was fucking aces.

I didn't like it quite as much as A History of Violence, but it's certainly right up there with it. The story is rather subtle and implied but its overall impact is undeniable. It's certainly not the typical Hollywood structured narrative. I found Cronenberg's direction to be pretty low-key here, but it allowed the story to take focus without showing off with some fancy camera tricks. Mortenson is quite terrific here, driving the story with his magnetic performance while remaining simultaneously dangerous and mysterious. All of the characters are given satisfactory amounts of depth, and the actors make them all feel genuine. The violence is graphic and shocking, but only because the rest of the film is so quiet and unassuming. The contrast between the action-filled and the actionless bits is what makes the brutality all the more shocking. It's not perfect, though; I would have liked a stronger plot, though, and there are some moments that reek of cliché, but, overall, the film is masterful.

Exxxxcellent. Better than A History of Violence, I thought. Viggo Mortenson's performance is, without a doubt, the best I've seen this year.

It's a quiet film, but intense.

A-

I just can't wait to see this in a week!

It's very well shot with outstanding work by Viggo, but ultimately I was left cold. I was never really engaged in the storyline or characters and wasn't that disappointed when it abrubtly ended.

It has probably the best fight scene of the year though.

2.5/5

B/B+


Color me disappointed. A little. I suppose I just had too many expectations and anticipation for it, especially since I loved A History of Violence, but this film failed to live up to them. I certainly liked AHOV a whole lot more. I suppose I wasa expecting a twisted Russian mafia epic from Cronenberg, but the film was a much smaller affair.

Most of it was good. Viggo Mortensen was solid, though not as extraordinarily amazing as most are saying. Not sure why he's receiving so many accolades. Vincent Cassel is at least equally good, playing the more-than-subtle homosexual son of the gay-hating mafia boss. Armin Mueller Stahl's performance is effective as well, even though rather typical. I've also seen Naomi Watts doing better acting jobs in the past. This is mostly Viggo's show at the end.

There is few about the film that I can really call flaws. It's just that the whole thing wasn't as amazing as it could have been and didn't stun or emotionally resonate with me in any way. The ending went way too easy for my taste with Semyon apparently being convicted. I don't think it'd be as easy as that to get a boss of a Russian mafia syndicate arrested and imprisoned. Also retrieving the baby was quize easy too. Furthermore, unlike A History of Violence, I didn't like the very open ending here. I thought it was perfect for AHOV, buthere I really wanted to see morer and felt cheated in a way.

All this negativity aside, however, it was a well-directed film, with solid performances all around and an interesting story to boot. The twist with Mortensen's Nikolai towards the end is great and unexpected. The naked bathhouse is pretty great and very visceral and brutal, thorwing away all asthetics and going for a raw realism. Good film, just not a masterpiece.

A-. Surprised by how good this was. It could have been a bit longer, while I did not mind the short running time, a lot of the plot points needed a bit more story. The ending is fantastic.