HEFE'S REVIEW OF:
EASTERN PROMISES (2007)

OPENING THOUGHTS

    I wanted to see this movie for a couple of reasons, first off this is the second time that David Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen have teamed up, and their first outing, A History Of Violence was a really great movie. Secondly, Mortensen looked like he did a great job, and that little wet Golden Globe kiss tipped the scales for me and I decided to watch it.

ACTING

    VIGGO MORTENSEN really needs to keep suckling at the teat of David Cronenberg because whatever disturbing liquid is escaping from that nipple into his waiting mouth must be magic. He somehow keeps turning Mortensen from a guy with a bad-ass name, to a guy who is a bad-ass actor. He was incredible in this movie. From his accent to his attitude, Mortensen was down right fantastic. I think this even after a disturbing fight scene in which Mortensen rubs his wang on a couple of dudes in a bathhouse before beating them to death.
    NAOMI WATTS played a really understated role in this movie, or maybe it just felt that way next Viggo's performance. At any rate I found her part to be forgettable and boring. Which is a shame, because she can be super hot.
    ARMIN MUELLER-STAHL also put in a good performance in this movie, I have always liked this guy whenever he shows up. He usually has a small role in which he plays a maniacal yet friendly foreign guy. While his part may have been a bit larger in this movie, my feelings for him remain unchanged, also I think he was the only one who actually has a Russian accent without having to fake it.

DIRECTION AND SCRIPT

    DAVID CRONENBERG should get a medal for the performances he is able to get out of Viggo Mortensen. That is not all he brings to the table either,  he is also really good at keeping the tension up in his movies,  not to mention his fight scenes are always fantastic. As upset as I was about having to watch a fight scene in which Mortensen is naked and flopping about, it was actually a really intense fight scene. He is truly a great director who keeps getting better and better.
    STEVE KNIGHT wrote an interesting script, the Russian mafia is not really something I know all that much about. While this movie was no Godfather it did have some good moments. I just felt that this film was a bit too predictable in spots, but the one thing he should be commended for is his excellent dialogue.

THE VERDICT

    This is a solid movie that is worth checking out, especially if you are a film-buff. This is one of those movies that deserves to get awards, above all Viggo Mortensen deserves a nomination if not a win for his balls-to-the-bathhouse-floor  performance.
 
 

RATING: B +

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