In London, a 14 year old Russian prostitute dies in childbirth and the delivering nurse becomes concerned about the surviving baby girl, not wanting her to fall into the hands of foster care. Looking through the dead girl's belongings she finds a diary which leads her to a restaurant owned by a Russian mob boss. After having him translate the diary which contains incriminatory evidence, she finds herself way in over her head with members of the Russian mob, including a mysterious tattoo covered chauffeur who may not be what he seems. Eastern Promises reteamed director David Cronenberg with actor Viggo Mortensen following their success with A History of Violence with spectacular results. This atypical mob picture is wonderfully filmed by the veteran Canadian director, interestingly violent, and utterly engrossing. Mortensen delivers a knockout performance in an Academy Award nominated role as the principled driver and mob enforcer. Also turning in fine work are Naomi Watts as the nurse, Armin Mueller-Stahl as the mob boss, and Vincent Cassel as his hot tempered son. Eastern Promises is a stunning work with an ingenious plot and several wildly imaginative and violent scenes, particularly one involving Mortensen and some hitmen in a bath house. The images, direction, and the story are so alive and captivating, and make you realize just how many movies simply aren't.
