“Eastern Promises” does not disappoint and delivers an entertaining film. From beginning to end the characters and plot keep the viewer enthralled.
Naomi Watts portrays Anna, a humble London midwife, who happens upon the diary of one of her patients. She soon discovers that the diary contains information that could be the potential downfall of one of the most powerful European families in organized crime. In her quest to get the diary translated, she inadvertently alerts the mob to what she possesses and is thrust into the dark underbelly of the city. Viggo Mortensen plays Nikolai, a seemingly humble, street smart driver who is slowly working his way up in the family. The head of the organization, Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl), is ruthless in his quest to eliminate Anna and destroy the diary. One of the great aspects of the movie is the subtle tension felt as Watts delves deeper into the mob world. Her tense interactions with the smooth talking, extremely deceptive Semyon, and the mysteriously courteous Nikolai evoke the viewer’s growing anxiety. The viewer begins to fear for her life and identifies with her.
Nikolai is possibly the best role Mortensen has ever played. He is a gritty character that is fearless and intimidating. His subtle and effortless charisma makes him likable despite the terrible things he does. He oozes a mysterious charm that is starkly contrasted by his detestable actions. Nikolai is not the stereotypical mobster because he evokes a curiosity that leaves the viewer continually wishing to know more about him.
While entertaining, the movie is extremely graphic. The subject matter deals with rape and murder, and audiences aren’t spared the detailed images. There are two very disturbing scenes in which men get their throats slit open. Another chilling scene captures the disposal of a dead body that has been frozen in a basement freezer. The most controversial scene in the movie is a fight in a bathhouse where Mortensen tussles with two men brandishing knives, while completely naked. However, this film requires such scenes for the audience to view the evil committed by its characters in order to fully understand the world they live in.
Although the subject of the film is the Russian mafia, it is set in London. This wise decision by the makers of the film serves to highlight the stark contrast between the reality of normal people and that of the dark and complex codes members of the mafia fallow.
“Eastern Promises” leaves the viewer yearning for more. While this is not a film for the faint of heart, if viewers can get past the grit and gore of the movie, they will find one of the best films of the year.
