Please ignore Murdoc. He has obviously never understood Cronenberg if he thinks this was a "miss". It's 100% DC and 100% great. Disturbing as all heck and brutal as can be. Ends somewhat abruptly (2 hours in I was happy to be sitting there for 1 more). Viggo absolutely has put his hat in the ring for best acting performance of the year with his turn as Nikolai.

I don't know what movie the commentators below saw, but I have to vehemently disagree with the criticisms. Yes, there are certain gaps in the script that are never brought to light, but to focus only on that is to miss the entire point of the film. It's not attempting to be an episode of CSI. It's more of an exploration of the polarities between right and wrong. It reveals humanity in the most improbable places. People need to understand that THIS IS A MOVIE. A piece of art is not intended to immaculately recreate reality, but rather illuminate an underlying message. So, to anyone reading this, do yourself a favor and focus on the poignancy of the story as opposed to the forensic inconsistencies. This is a great, worthwhile film, with superb acting by Mortensen to boot.… Expand

Absolutely Excellent! Exciting, intense and visually stunning, I cannot believe anyone could find anything to criticize. This is a must-see!

Better than A History of Violence. The shower knife fight scene was awesome and the story was really engaging. The only thing that turned me off was the first scene, which was a little unwatchable and I wanted a little more out of the ending. Still a must see for anyone who likes crime or gangster films. Or a must see for everyone

Eastern Promises is truly a terrific piece of film-making. The writing is so precise and subtle, with hints of foreshadowing, brilliant dialogues, and outstanding character development for all the major players. The acting is superb all around, with Mortensen and Mueller-Stahl shining the most. The directing, too, is very precise, especially in scenes that you can tell are impossibly hard to convincingly piece together (i.e. the bath-house fight). Watching the film a second time, you can really pick up on many of the subtleties that reflect the complexity and brilliance of all the aspects of this film. Eastern promises has a great shot at getting Oscar nominations for Viggo Mortensen (actor), Mueller-Stahl (supporting actor), and original screenplay, but I wouldn't be surprised if it snagged a couple extras as well.… Expand

absolutely phenomenal film that incorporates great acting, errie cinematography, suspenseful direction and an engrossing plot to produce one of the best efforts of the year. a must-see for any fan of kronenburg, tarentino, haggis, or HBO; it incorporates all the elements of modern filmmaking that have been sacrificed for the sake of commercial success; a violent, edgy, character-driven dialogue-fest that impresses the viewer on multiple levels.… Expand

What a strange, brutal movie.

People are going to hear a lot about this, so I may as well begin with it: There's a fight scene in David Cronenberg's Russian mob thriller "Eastern Promises" that is sure to go down as a raw, brutal and pulse-pounding landmark in the history of fight scenes. It takes place in one room, with no props except for a couple knives. People in the audience at the screening I attended were flinching and gasping as if they were being punched in the face. Which, of course, is the idea. If a fight scene doesn't make you feel like you're part of it, so that it quickens your heartbeat and your breathing, then it's a failure. And Cronenberg's makes you realize how many movie fights are flops -- and how really hard it is to kill or immobilize a human being with your arms, legs, feet and hands. Literally and figuratively, "Eastern Promises" has guts. And in this sense, it reminds me of both the excruciatingly protracted struggle between Paul Newman and the Russian agent in "Torn Curtain," and the knock-down, drag-out fist-fest between Keith David and Rowdy Roddy Piper in John Carpenter's "They Live! Directed in a bold, graphic style similar to that of his previous film, "A History of Violence," "Eastern Promises" is shockingly gorgeous, for all the ugliness it portrays. The film is set in London, and the colors are dark and heavy: gray skies, slick black streets, brandy, absinthe, venous blood. A hospital midwife (Naomi Watts) finds a patient's diary that gets her involved with Russian gangsters -- in particular, a shrewd and ambitious chauffeur played by "History of Violence" star Viggo Mortensen. It begins like a Cronenbergian horror movie, and becomes... a Cronenberg gangster movie -- an elemental struggle between good and evil, life and death, east and west, blood and money, trust and betrayal, commerce and morality, mind and body. Remember, that's "elemental," not "simplistic." There are... complications.… Expand

If there is one thing Cronenburg is so good at, its taking a movie beyond the limits of being just a movie. It is more a study of the human being, and their behaviors and nature, and how they act and who they are, and who they pretend to be. This movie takes you into the lives of the Russian mob, a very dark, disturbing place to be, and a family of a young woman (played by Naomi Watts), her uncle and aunt find themselves thrown into the chaos. They discover a diary of a young prostitute, and this diary has a lot of power in this movie. Muehller-Stahl, who plays the leader of the vory V Zakone brotherhood, is absolutely terrific, and can shoot one glance that could freeze you, and then cut you to pieces. He is menacing, not in his actions, but in his look alone. Also, Viggo Mortensen delivers the performance of his life, playing this mysterious, off-put, odd friend of the son of the brotherhood leader. He can exude both evil, and kindness in just a few different shots. The action in the movie is real, and it is haunting, and one scene in particular will most likely stick with you in your head for quite some time. This is a movie to be taken seriously, and deep, deep under its seemingly simple layers of story, lies a very interesting tale that leads through the cobwebs of the Russian mob, and just what happens when family is messed with. This is a very good piece on humanity, and it is something not to be missed at a time when all Hollywood can chock up are lame Dane Cook films and same-old same-old "kill the zombie" movies.… Expand

Oscar-winning performances here, you betcha! Masterly performances by Mortenson, Mueller-Stahl and Cassel with wonderfully complex characterizations. Go see it!

i really enjoyed this movie. i was a little nervous coming in to watch it because i thought cronenberg's last movie, a history of violence, was a complete and utter waste of time and had way too much pointless sex and violence, however eastern promises seemed like a more interesting and story driven movie and i think naomi is a great actress so i bought the dvd and was extremely happy with my purchase. the acting is extremely good all around, but most notably cassel playing kirill was the best. the story was interesting and never bored me. The directing was good and there was never a dull camera angle. Overall this is my favorite mob/gangster movie. It definitely beats out goodfellas, casino, and the godfather. pick it up and watch it if you havent, but dont if you cant handle the violence and nudity… Expand

This has got to be one of my favorite films of all time. A suspenseful crime drama encased in an almost surreal experience. With Viggo Mortensen giving another outstanding performance along side Vincent Cassel. While this movie does has its flaws, it is defiantly not for the A.D.D generation expecting non-stop action. Truly a film that only comes around once a life time.

Totally compelling, memorable, at times shocking. One of the year's best. You can't take your eyes off Viggo Mortensen in this Oscar-worthy role.

Excellent movie... easily one of the best I've seen this year!

Scorsese hasn't made a movie this good in 20 years!

This was the best film I have seen in months (and I see many). Worth whatever it costs, 10 times better than a History of Violence, hopefully it will get the award attention it deserves.

Excellent character study of a deeply scarred man. Interesting aspect of the movie is the barely-veiled homosexual relationship between two of the vory v zakone. The famous bathhouse fight scene is still jarring and visceral even when you are expecting it.

extraordinary view of evil and decency, malice and family, with an honest non-romatic view of gangsters, killers and the Russian mob.

Cronenberg's most conventional film to date. Of course by anyone else's standards, this would be a most unusual film. That doesn't make a lesser film though. It's a great entertainment with a number of interesting ideas bubbling underneath the surface. It's look at the strange world of the Russian mafia is fascinating and the deceptively simple narrative builds to a surprising final half hour. Climaxing with a brilliantly staged fight scene set in a public bath house. Mortensen is terrific and is deserving of some awards recognition. The well chosen supporting cast is perfect. 'Eastern Promises' is minor Cronenberg in the end-but that's still better than 95% of the stuff Hollywood churns out these days. Highly recommended-but not for the squeamish. It is D Cron after all.… Expand

Without a doubt the most thrilling and satisfying movie of the year thus far. Mortensen ridiculously good. A potential classic.

I have never submitted a vote to these sites but I did not want anyone to be misled into not seeing this movie. It's one of the best I've seen in years. A new classic. Amazing performances from the actors and a plot that will surprise even the most jaded movie watcher. I normally would not recommend Cronenberg for the squeamish, but this one everyone should see.

Honestly, this movie rivals Goodfellas as far as a great Mafia Movie..

This movie pulls no punches, literally, and figuratively. It begins with a brutally violent scene, which demonstrates the compelling nature of a person following orders, against their own will, and ends quietly, with a scene reminiscent of the contemplation of Michael Corleone in Godfather II. An amazing cast, with mesmerizing performances by Mortensen, and Mueller-Stahl. The shower fight scene is a heart stopper. Naked, brutally graphic, gritty and bloody. More than just a gangster movie. A real insight into human nature.… Expand

'Eastern Promises,' the latest film from David Cronenberg

Ultra Violent! Terrific acting by Mortensen and Mueller-Stahl, and good performances by Watts and Cassel. Many scenes of ultra-violence were graphically realistic and groaningly bloody, but convincing and necessary for the story.

I think the people who gave this film a 1 are just visitors on this forum, nothing more, and for the love of argument, they wrote something about a story they did not follow closely, about a film they did not have the patience to watch until the final credits. I think Cronenberg is one of the most interesting filmmakers of our times, and this one is definitely in my top ten this year. Maybe not the same as "A History of Violence" which was absolutely mesmerizing... but still, real cinema and not commercial crap, as unfortunately 90 percent of what is being done in Hollywood today. As for Mortensen, well, I think this time he has really achieved perfection. You have to be absurd and a bit silly to expect for more.… Expand

An excellent and gritty portrayal of the Russian mafia, which includes brutality and artful homosexual sodomy (please don't let the Brokeback Mountain effect tune you out). this is not for the faint of heart, but a mature audience will definitely respect this gem of an action drama.

Emotionally and intellectually riveting, this was by far the best of 2007. Characters I actually cared about, repulsive and morbidly interesting plot developments, and an inflinching take on violence and sexuality that was neither gratuitous or sheepish.

Great movie gripping from start to finish, I liked the ending because it left you wondering and thinking about the characters.

This is the best movie I have seen in a long time. I have never been so moved by a movie. Viggo Mortensen's performance was tremendous. There is absolutely no justice if he doesn't, at the very least, get an oscar nomination.

A great story that includes a glimpse into Russian (mafia) culture, with the most brutal and raw fight scene in a movie ever...it's about the closest you'll ever come to experiencing a life or death situation. Amazing!! All characters are superb and well-acted. An excellent, albeit violent movie.

Pretty darn good.

Amazing acting with a compelling script in a world of family, fear, heartache, and duality. Great movie

Oh my GOD! A ripoff of The Godfather? This movie was fantastic. There are some pretty brutal scenes though. Really Brutal.

What can I say - this movie is spectacular! The action was as realistic as can be. And lastly, Viggo Mortensen is one amazing actor. An Oscar performance!

Amazing! Viggo Mortensen is brilliant. An Oscar performance.

I finally saw David Cronenberg's "Eastern Promises," which is a dirty good time, and a few things struck me. Naomi Watts would have been the ideal woman for Alfred Hitchcock. She plays a British nurse looking the family of dead Russian girl amid the mob, and there's something less-than-classic about her face and modern about her independence. She's like this perfectly woven garment of emotional temperatures -- hot and cold all the time. The hot part has never come naturally to Nicole Kidman, who's got the mechanics of Grace Kelly, Janet Leigh, and Tippi Hedren (chilly, cold, frozen). Watts evokes them in a more organically intelligent way. She seems to be feeling and thinking, especially in this movie, which requires her to be defensively tough and a little naive at the same time. Sorry I'm not making this entirely clear, but Cronenberg seems to get that Watts has an internal universe -- she's the Hitchcock heroine remixed. He also understands that Viggo Mortensen is the most sexually alive man not currently doing porn. Mortensen is one of those actors who gets more convincing, more soulful with age (he'll be 49 next month). Between this movie and "A History of Violence," Cronenberg really sees Mortensen as an intensely erotic figure (he plays a mob family's ornately tattooed driver). The movie purports to be about Russian gangsters in London, but like "A History of Violence," "Eastern Promises" is more interesting for what's beneath the surfaces. And like the other movie, that usually culminates in some bundling of sex, violence, and Viggo. Here, there's a brawl in a bathhouse between Mortensen and two goons that's one of the most astounding fight sequences I've ever seen. Both the sexual context and Mortensen's nudity are neutralized - and yet unmistakably present. The grunting, slapping of flesh on the tiles, explosive exhalations, and brute force are more visceral than erotic (it's way more excruciating than it ever is arousing). And yet Cronenberg jokingly refuses to stop teasing us with the eroticism while astounding you with the brutality, the way a bloodied Mortensen crawls across bodies. It's loaded -- a brilliant, unspoken mini-essay on what movie violence can be and often essentially is: a bunch of dudes rolling around on the floor.… Expand

Viggo Mortensen and David Cronenberg strike gold (again) with Eastern Promises. It's an incredible character study and Viggo Mortensen delivers a fantastic turn as the complicated mobster associate. The violence didn't overtake the film at all, but when it did enter the scene, it was a provocative shock to the senses.

A haunting look into humanity.

In Viggo Mortensen, David Cronenberg has found the perfect collaborator- not since James Stewart and Alfred Hitchcock has a director and star so perfectly aligned to make such thrilling entertainments. On the heels of the perfectly realized A History of Violence, Eastern Promises more than delivers as a new take on the gangster genre. This is sumptuous, elegant filmmaking on the highest level, encompassing all that one can ask of cinema.… Expand

Such a good film. I honestly think that Viggo Mortenson was robbed of an Oscar. Vincent Cassel was also very good as the smarthy, wormy Kirill. Naomi Watts wasn't awesome but Motensons performance more than made up for it. An excellently directed film and very well written.

An uncompromising crime drama from David Cronenberg. This is an artist hitting his stride, first with History of Violence and now Eastern Promises. The film works both as an engaging drama and one hell of a thrill ride of a movie.