Review of Eastern Promises (2007) by Matthew B — 29 Aug 2010
A gripping, phantasmagoric thriller. David Cronenberg does not recapture the uber-violent brilliance of A History of Violence, but Eastern Promises thrives on the fecundity of the central performances.
Naomi Watts is, as one might expect, radiant as the pure-hearted midwife Anna, but Viggo Mortensen steals the film as the chauffeur Nikolai with a steely, pitch-perfect Russian drawl. The scandalously revealing fight scene in the steam room is presented with gut-wrenching reality; his attention to detail is miraculous.
Armin Mueller-Stahl (both sweetly paternal and dangerously sinister), Mina E. Mina, Vincent Cassel, Jerzy Skolimowsky, and Sinéad Cusack form a spectacular supporting cast.
This review of Eastern Promises (2007) was written by Matthew B on 29 Aug 2010.
Eastern Promises has generally received very positive reviews.
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