by Mark Capozzoli

Created on: January 10, 2008

Review: Hold up Hold up. you missed "Eastern Promises" a British Independent film when it came out in September 2007. Who wants to watch a low budget film anyhow? You will my friend, you will.

"Eastern Promises" was an entertaining and eerie experience that left me both satisfied, but also wishing for an alternate, more villainous conclusion. Ultimately, I highly recommend the DVD version for those who have seen this film and for those who have not.

The movie, directed by David Cronenberg centers on a Russian crime family operating in London and due to the movie's reference of NATO in Afghanistan, sometime between 2002 and the present. The action, drama and intrigue centers around Viggo Mortensen, also from (History of Violence) who plays a bottom of the ranks "chauffer," who also doubles as a Russian thug as well as another spoiler profession.

The majority of the plot dwells on the interaction between Viggo's character and Naomi Watts, who plays a mid-wife that is trying to find a safe home for a child born to a Russian prostitute. The child's origins and resulting interconnections with Viggo and the Russian crime family are but the backdrop to Viggo's impressive acting ability.

At many times, the viewer will likely face differing emotions of hate, empathy, mistrust and surprised honesty when viewing the circumstances of events through Viggo's point of view.

From violence, to well-placed drama detailing the happenings within a crime family, this movie flat pleases. One fight scene in particular will find the viewer either repulsed or beckoned to watch it over and over again.

A strong plot-line coupled with narration from Russian girls and young women regarding false rewards in present day London - that lead to the inevitable realm of prostitution keep one immersed in the movie's broad context.

My only small disappointment centers on the writers who could have made for a more conflict-focused ending that would surely have set this movie's follow-up picture (if there is one being planned) on more solid ground. Essentially, the movie's final resolution did not meet some of the drama intensity raised earlier in the movie.

A viewer's last thoughts and feeling will likely leave them wanting to see the continuation of Viggo's character as well as a stronger more enduring role for Naomi Watts, who superbly played her role as an investigator-midwife hybrid (and hopefully gets the nod for best supporting actress) was over-shadowed by Viggo's blood-rushing performance.

I normally do not recommend purchasing so quickly, but this movie is a must have.

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