Viggo Mortensen Movie:

		List Price: $14.98		Label: Universal Studios Salesrank: 1169 Released: December 23, 2007
		Our Price: $5.50
		Used Price: $2.23
		MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
Viggo Mortensen and Academy Award® nominee Naomi Watts star in this electrifying thriller from critically acclaimed director David Cronenberg (A History of Violence). Criminal mastermind Nikolai (Mortensen) finds his ties to a notorious crime family shaken when he crosses paths with Anna (Watts) a midwife who has accidentally uncovered evidence against them. Their unusual relationship sets off an unstoppable chain of murder mystery and deception in the explosive film critics are calling "provocative and engrossing" (Claudia Puig USA Today).System Requirements:Running Time: 101 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/CRIME Rating: R UPC: 025193330024 Manufacturer No: 62033300

Description of Eastern Promises (Widescreen Edition):
David Cronenberg's signature obsessions flower in Eastern Promises, a stunning look at violence, responsibility, and skin. Near Christmastime in London, a baby is born to a teenage junkie--an event that leads a midwife (Naomi Watts) into the world of the Russian mob. Central to this world is an ambitious enforcer (Viggo Mortensen) who's lately buddied up with the reckless son (Vincent Cassel) of a mob boss (Armin Mueller-Stahl, doing his benign-sinister thing). Screenwriter Steve Knight also wrote Dirty Pretty Things, and in some ways this is a companion piece to that film, though utterly different in style. The plot is classical to the point of being familiar, but Cronenberg doesn't allow anything to become sentimental; he and his peerless cinematographer Peter Suschitzky take a cool, controlled approach to this story. Because of that, when the movie erupts in its (relatively brief) violence, it's genuinely shocking. Cronenberg really puts the viewer through it, as though to shame the easy purveyors of pulp violence--nobody will cheer when the blood runs in this film. Still, Eastern Promises has a furtive humor, nicely conveyed in Viggo Mortensen's highly original performance. Covered in tattoos, his body a scroll depicting his personal history of violence, Mortensen conveys a subtle blend of resolve and lost-ness. He's a true, haunting mystery man. --Robert Horton

Stills from Eastern Promises (click for larger image). Photos by Peter Mountain.

Vincent Cassel (left) and Viggo Mortensen (right) star in David Cronenberg's EASTERN PROMISES, a Focus Features release.	Armin Mueller-Stahl (center) stars in David Cronenberg's EASTERN PROMISES, a Focus Features release.	Viggo Mortensen (left) and Naomi Watts (right) star in David Cronenberg’s EASTERN PROMISES, a Focus Features release.
Viggo Mortensen (left) and Naomi Watts (right) star in David Cronenberg’s EASTERN PROMISES, a Focus Features release.	Naomi Watts stars in David Cronenberg's new thriller EASTERN PROMISES, a Focus Features release.	Armin Mueller-Stahl (left) and Naomi Watt (right) star in David Cronenberg's EASTERN PROMISES, a Focus Features release.
Mina E. Mina (left), Vincent Cassel (center) and Viggo Mortensen (right) star in David Cronenberg's EASTERN PROMISES, a Focus Features release.	Vincent Cassel stars in David Cronenberg’s EASTERN PROMISES, a Focus Features release.	Viggo Mortensen stars in David Cronenberg’s EASTERN PROMISES, a Focus Features release.

Eastern Promises (Widescreen Edition) Reviews:
Interesting movie, bad Russian language
2008-10-10 - I watched this on HBO last night. The plot is a very captivating, edge-of-your seat thriller. Although there is a lot of graphic violence, the characters, including the bad guys, are not entirely unlikeable. "Kirill" and his father possess at least a glimmer of a compassionate side (the way they interact with children), and Viggo Mortensen is spectacular as Nikolai (althought I should add, the extensive footage of his teeny ding-dong during the bath house fight scene left me a little queasy). That said, would it have killed the director to hire some actual Russians to speak Russian more believably? I had the hardest time making out what they were saying. Overall, a very entertaining film, but the actors' attempts to speak Russian were hilarious (yes, I am half-Russian, half-Ukrainian, from "the old country").

Eastern Promises - Blu-ray Info
2008-10-08 - Version: U.S.A / Region Free
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
VC-1 BD-25 / Advanced Profile 3
Running time: 1:40:33
Movie size: 20,59 GB
Disc size: 23,73 GB
Average video bit rate: 20.46 Mbps

DTS-HD Master Audio English 3667 kbps 5.1 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 3667kbps (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 1536kbps)
DTS Audio French 768 kbps 5.1 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 768kbps
DTS Audio Spanish 768 kbps 5.1 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 768kbps

Subtitles: English SDH / French / Spanish

Number of chapters: 20

#Secrets and Stories (HD - 11 minutes)
#Marked for Life (HD - 7 minutes)

Dark drama that requires your attention
2008-10-06 - Eastern Promises delivers on acting, plot and drama and for that you will certainly want to see it... but be forewarned.

This movie received an R rating for a reason and I would not show it to any kids younger than high school age. The violence in it is graphic for a reason - realism. The subject matter is shocking at times, because you are dealing with very disturbing topics, so be prepared.

The story is that of the Russian mob in London, which primarily follows the actions of one family, and specifically the duties of a driver within that mobster family. The movie does a good job of explaining the Russian mob and how it operates throughout the film. To accomplish this it uses the sub plot of a maternity nurse who discovers a diary that belonged to a young pregnant Russian immigrant. The pregnant girl dies while giving birth in the nurse's hospital. The diary, and uncovering the facts and secrets within are what leads the nurse to encounter the mob firsthand.

Throughout the movie, the plot and twists are done exceptionally well and will keep you trying to figure everything out. If you don't like movies where you need to focus on everything said, or don't like ones you have to think too hard about them, then Eastern Promises might not be your cup of tea. If you like movies that keep you on the edge of your seat and trying to figure it all out - you'll enjoy this one. The revelation discovered about the driver/mobster is well worth it the price of the DVD!

The movie moves along at a good pace and never leaves you bored with any of the scenes. The final thirty minutes of the movie mixes enough action and twists to satisfy even the harshest of critics. Enjoy it and be prepared to cringe now and again!

Mobster with a heart?
2008-09-30 - wow...I liked it on the big screen and this is almost as good. Viggo Mortensen is certainly versatile, and adding this to his wide body of work is cool. Sometimes it was difficult to know where the story is located, but I suppose that's a realistic pitcure of how groups can change city locales. The story moves well and the end is very satisfying.

Makes The Godfather seem like a nursery story
2008-09-29 - This 2007 British import is one of the bloodiest and violent films I have ever seen. It's about the Russian mafia in London and there are scenes in this film that makes The Godfather seem like a nursery story. Perhaps it's because there is less censorship nowadays but whatever it is, the film feels real, the plot fast and easy to follow and the acting superb.

Set in London, Naomi Watts is cast as a nurse in a maternity war who has problems of her own. She's English born but she lives with her mother and Uncle, both of whom are Russian émigrés. When a teenage girl in her care gives birth and then dies, she has deep feelings for the baby. She therefore sets out to uncover the mystery of the teenager who has left a diary in the Russian language, which she, herself, cannot read. She asks her uncle to translate it and when he refuses she goes to an older Russian man who owns an upscale Russian restaurant and who seems to be grandfatherly to everyone around them.

While this is going on, the audience sees some vile murders, and one grizzly scene where Viggo Mortenson, cast as a Russian chauffeur, has to dispose of a body. He works for the older Russian man and his wild and crazy son played by Vincent Cassel. Violence is everywhere. Young girls are brought from Russia and forced into brothels. There is greed, deception and horrific murders.

Naomi Watts starts to uncover the truth, and Viggo Mortenson, who was nominated for an Academy Award for this role, starts to befriend her. There is a stoic cold blooded calmness about him that is quite unnerving. Then, he is central to one scene in a Russian bathhouse which is the most violent I have ever seen.

How this all plays makes for really good drama. I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. Then, by the end of the film, all the loose ends are tied up in satisfactory way that makes sense. Good filmmaking.

Recommended, especially for those who are not afraid of nonstop action and violence.