Eastern Promises

"Forget any of this happened. Stay away from people like me."


*****
{A truly fantastic piece of filmmaking, Eastern Promises combines great performances with a compelling, riveting story of the dark underbelly of London’s Russian community and the role played by organized crime in the human sex trafficking trade. Viggo Mortensen is excellent as Nikolai, the ‘driver’ for the son of a high ranking member of the 'Vory V Zakone' or Russian Mafia, and Naomi Watts is completely believable (and completely gorgeous) as a midwife who accidentally finds herself caught up in a situation that is far more sinister than it first appears. I can’t say enough about the performances by virtually the entire cast (only Sinead Cusack’s performance, who played Watt’s mother, was ‘average’) and the direction of David Cronenberg…who, in his last two films (A History of Violence being the other) is developing into one of the best directors working today. The style of the film is very subtle, but seems to perfectly capture a side of society (and humanity) that we only hear about in news clippings. I’m sure upon further viewing, it will solidify its place among my favourite movies of not only this year…but of the first decade of the 21st Century. A modern classic. Go rent this film today! And on a personal note…I can’t get over how naturally beautiful a woman Naomi Watts is. Cronenberg’s style usually requires his actors to look very natural, and even without (or minimal) make-up, Watts just lights up the screen, especially considering the dark setting of the film. I’ve been a fan of hers since Mulholland Dr., but she just has the look of a 1920’s movie star…and the talent to match. Plus…she looks great in jeans! Wow!}