Viggo Mortensen steals the show here- "I'm just the driver," he says, when asked. He is far more than that, in this beautifully wrought expose of a most violent Russian crime family set in London. Naomi Watts delivers too, as the unwitting outsider who throws a wrench into the works. Highly recommended. David Cronenberg directs. A few throats are cut, and the fight in the bath house is a killer. If you liked Vig in "A History of Violence," this takes it up a notch, and adds some exotic Russian flavor that will make you reach for that cold bottle of vodka you've been saving.
I remember liking this movie in the theater. Eastern Promises and A History of Violence were a great one-two punch. Viggo and David make a brilliant team.
I agree with your positive review, esp. that this movie is much more enjoyable and complex than A History of Violence, itself a nice little movie. I never ventured in bath houses, and esp. wouldn't after that scene! After this movie, I expected more great things out of Cronenberg, but I can't recall anything that rises to this level. And where has Viggo been lately?
Viggo Mortensen is another actor I really enjoy! I will watch anything he's in...loved all of his movies. EP had it down...very authentic.
Great movie, but I had been warned about the sauna. that has to be one of the most violent things I've ever seen. Great ending.
It's a very powerful movie with fine acting and a great script - what I also like is that it doesn't have any sci-fi artiness about it, like so many other Cronenberg films. I do wish there was a commentary on the DVD, though.
Cronenberg is one of my favourite directors. I should give this one another viewing soon (along with History of Violence)
Wish Cronenberg made other film with Viggo, perhaps even... Eastern Promises 2 ( the original left a possiblity). Such a interesting charactor.
Cronenberg did indeed make another film with Viggo in 2011 called A DANGEROUS METHOD, however be advised it is about Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, the psychiatrists. I have it, but haven't watched it yet.