Review of Eastern Promises (2007) by James S — 25 Aug 2010

Gritty, Brit thriller, plays like a rather bleak BBC drama for the most part, showing signs of becoming interesting and on occasion, quite powerful. Unfortunately, these moments don't last long before the film sinks back into Russian mafioso, talky talk mode.

It's an intriguing enough mystery to begin with. Niaomi Watts is dealing with her own maternity related issues when a prostitute dies in child birth on her midwife table. Consumed by her motherly instincts she sets out to find a next of kin for the baby only to stumble into the darkness of the Russian underworld.

Anyone who has played Grand Theft Auto 4 will find it hard not to get past the appalling Russian accents on display here. Viggo Mortensen skulks around as a driver and motorbike enthusiast who m,ay or may not be what he seems.

At times Eastern Promises threatens to become very powerful. Some of Watts scenes are quite good and she is convincing in her role. Sadly, it's all surrounded by scenes of pretend Russians getting drunk and doing brutal things to women. The plot twists, and there are a couple of them, are so transparent they come as no shock whatsoever, leading only to further disappointment.

Eastern Promises makes quite a few, but ultimately ends up not fulfilling any of them.