Eastern Promises (2007)
High level violence
| Director: | David Cronenberg |
| Actors: | Naomi Watts, Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassel, Armin Mueller-Stahl |
Eastern Promises explore the psyche, physicality, and fortunes of a man whose true nature may never be wholly revealed. The mysterious and charismatic Russian-born Nikolai Luzhin (Viggo Mortensen) is a driver for one of London’s most notorious organized crime families of Eastern European origin.
When Anna (Naomi Watts) inadvertently crosses paths with the crime family while trying to right a wrong, Nikolai must put into motion a harrowing chain of murder, deceit, and retribution.
| Status: | HighDemand |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 100mins |
| Origin: | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
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Member Reviews (91)
91 Member
Reviews
Khole
says
Very very good film. Dark, gritty, this will not appeal to someone expecting hollywood pap.
nomes
says
Very good!
says
Very good script & brilliant acting. An excellent flic
David Williams
says
Entertaining euro gangland story,not for those who want something soft and light.Cast iare wonderful.
says
As the movie rating suggests is slow moving at first, but undertone of violence always present and has a dark side of Russian gangster practices and the harsh realities of their brotherhood to keep matters secret from prying eyes of an investigator played by Naomi Watts trying to trace the whereabouts of a victim in her hospital. Well worth the rating and would recommend
Shelly5
says
Interesting and engrossing.
Mike Brindley
says
Dark, scary redemption tale that is just a little predictable.
gjmcn
says
I have seen this movie, but when I saw it had a different name, but name or not, this IS a good film it is graphically violent and shows a totally merciless world hidden under a guise of civility. In Russia, they are called men with big necks and you can buy books about the Tattoos rather like some of the Latin American and Asian crime syndicates and there is a story in itself - why? The plot has some traditional aspects with some unconventional twists as well that make it a good film without some of the gloss that Hollywood puts on the genre.
sunnycoastgirl
says
This movie was really good. R18 rating is spot on so for the movie critics that say it is to violent this is usually what to expect for R18 films. Fight scene in the sauna was good and quite surprising ... when you watch the movie you will know what I mean. Well worth a Saturday night stay in. Would recommend but beware that it is R18 rating.
Dave L
says
Viggo Mortensen plays his role well. Good movie , very violent at times.
Rocky
says
A little slow but worth the wait
John C
says
Great work from Naomi Watts and Vigi Mortensen in a dark and unusual plot.
Naomi is a great advertisement for Australia and deserves all and any credit she gets.
Dark moody, seedy London at it's best with Russian mafia in the driving seat or are they?
Robin
says
Very good
VALERIE WITHAM
says
Why send me a dvd already seen???? EASTERN PROMISES
Popdawg
says
Am really surprised to see so many negative reviews about this film. I've just watched it for the third time in two years and will not doubt watch it again in a few months' time. Gripping, well-acted and ultimately edifying, this is a film that I highly recommend.
Lynne
says
Much too violent for my taste, don't know why I picked it.
MOVIE BUFF!!!
says
Realistic characters, A grade acting on all characters, the storyline takes you deep into a world you would not ordinarily know about. Great fight scene for the ladies, recomend rewind and slow motion, very ballsy, pardon the pun. If you enjoy quality acting with characters of depth, a story line that draws you in and takes you on a journey into the souls of good and evil, with a satisfying out come then this is for you. not suitable for under 21.
Denise-perth
says
I found this entertaining however other family members drifted off after the first half an hour claiming that the movie was too far fetched and unrealistic. I was able to immerse myself in the Russian underworld in Britain and relate to the mafiosa gangster lifestyle that has permeated the culture there. I thought that Naomi Watts did a good Russian impersonation (daughter of a Russian father) and Viggo Mortenson performed .above average. Despite the violence and the drama of the topic of a young woman being a Russian slave in Britain and giving birth to a child, there did seem to be something missing, which another reviewer alludes to. I enjoyed the movie despite the short-comings as it brought into the open the difficult topic of women from Russia ending up in prostitution in Britain and I am not sure how common or uncommon this is but it sounds like it could be happening.
Joan
says
Didn't like and couldn't get into this DVE. Retuned it without seeing it in entirity.
Kez
says
Terrible! So staged that it felt like a "movie" the whole way though. I couldn't get drawn into the story at all.
CL-D
says
Edgy and different, great acting with an original plot. Viggo is the goods and Vincent Cassel was in his element. Vince will look back on taking the role as a dancing Maestro in the unbelievable Black Swan and wonder what the hell he was doing.
Rosie
says
Bit predictable
Brooke
says
Great story line, great cast, just missing something. Not enough drama or action. Not sure.
Heath
says
As always a great performance by Viggo Mortensen. It was violent but I felt the movie had depth and heart, and I enjoyed it.
PK
says
This movie is executed well and keeps a twisted plot hidden well for most the duration of the movie. It does not have the luster of a blockbuster and was slow at certain points. However, overall can be described as honest translation with organized crime syndicates and very believable characters. It has a subtle darkness of something just that little bit different from the norm.
A2Z
says
A good watch.
catjac
says
Rather violent and had to turn away for the gruesome bits, but good story line and enjoyed the movie.
Barrie
says
This would be the most disgusting movie I have ever watched.
Chris B.
says
This is a great movie. An intelligent, believable plot and very well acted. Gritty, no holds barred action kept me intrigued for the full 100 minutes. Viggo Mortenson is terrific, as is Naomi Watts. Very highly recommended.
Philip Smith
says
I enjoyed this movie but it was a bit violent.
Glenn P.
says
This is a must see if you like a good gangster mafia type movie. The fight scene in the bathroom is a knock out.
Keith Z.
says
Enjoyed this film. Vigo Mortensen does a brilliant job acting.
Well worth watching again as well.
Sandra C.
says
I found this pretty gory and a little confusing to say the least.
Kim
says
Mesmerising! Slow start with terrible acting as they try to 'act' like ordinary and naieve folk of England. Watts never quite redeems herself but luckily everyone else is stunningly focussed and brings to life the double life of Russian mafia in London.
Michelle C.
says
Average. Was expecting alot more.
Ken
says
Absolutely brilliant film. Takes you on an entertaining journey. You wont be disappointed. Stark at times but thats the reality of the Russian criminals in England.
Renata
says
slow going -. gory and violent in parts.
Susan N.
says
A very, very good film. Convincing and fascinating story. Gruesome in parts.
Leah
says
This was a great movie about the sex trade in Russia. I really enjoyed the way this movie played out. I also thought the undercover Russian dude was kinda hot! Definatly worth a look.
Jens L.
says
Great performances make this one of the best gangster pictures I have seen. Mortenson is suberb as the "baddie"; a bad man who is trying to do good.
C H.
says
good movie, something a bit different from the norm, with good twists and turns throughout, worth watching
Dennis O.
says
Okay movie with some good performances, especially Viggo Mortensen. Naomi Watts character was pretty shallow and sometimes annoying. Somehow, I felt it just didn't hit the spot.
Rita K.
says
Viggo Mortensen makes this film, especially the naked wrestling scene in the bath house, and those tattoos - wow.
Lydie L.
says
Brilliant film from Cronenberg, well written, well directed and amazingly acted - Viggo Mortensen steals every scene he is in and his Russian is flawless. A slightly abrupt ending but you can infer what happened. I highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in Russian crime, but this is definitely not a happy film - it's very bleak and very dark. However, it is excellent and I will be buying it.
Peter
says
Very good movie, well defined characters, one of the Kronenberg's best
stimpy
says
Excellent and somewhat brutal film.
Nigel B.
says
Viggo Mortensen received an Oscar nomination for his performance in this film and justifies it every second he's on screen. A flawless showcase for a very underrated actor, this is one of the best films I've seen in the last five to ten years. Stunning.
Yvette B.
says
How very disappointing.... this movie had all the right ingredients but somehow never quite managed to pull it off.
Nigel W.
says
Quite liked this movie because of its contained and measured approach to the seemy side of life and organised crime. Both the leads put in convincing performances. I felt the film never overstayed its welcome and would be quite happy with a sequel.
Lee C.
says
A brilliant performance from Viggo Mortensen, a dark look on the Russian mafia in England.
Matthew B.
says
Well acted, intriguing drama with a twist that is so sublty placed into the story you never see it coming. Good film!
Steve L.
says
This is a bloody good movie, not your hollywood formula movie. Intriquing story (a snapshot in time)
Surprised me,wasn't expecting much and was really drawn in. Not for the family as some of the violence is graphic, but well used and necessary to build the intrique.
Janet W.
says
Very graphic in parts and I could have done without the fight scene in the sauna with Mortensen's 'bits' dangling about, but a good film to watch nonetheless.
Michael K.
says
I found the storyline in this very interesting with an unusal twist. Don't over-intellectualise it just sit back and go on the ride. A different slant on the mafioso-genre.
Kristy
says
Excellent movie! Well worth watching, great acting and great storyline.
Brian H.
says
Good acting performances by all the leading performers. Not much more could be asked of them with the material they had to deal with. The film goes along at a certain level never achieving any great heights. Some spots of extreme violence thown in here and there. Lots of Russian Mafia type bad behaviour we have all seen in other movies before. One dimensional story-line. Weak ending.
Vicki S.
says
not for the squimish excellent acting. viggo at his brooding best. would have like the story to continue there was more to be told
Norman G.
says
lf you lived "A history of violence" this comes pretty close one star down for me, but a great gangster flick russian style set in London. Watts walks side by side with Nicole for pure talent maybe ahead of her! Vigo is pure evil.
Brian M.
says
What a shame that this picture seems to be only known for the naked steam room fight-brilliantly staged though it is. This is a very, very good film about the sex slave trade and the Russian mafia in todays London. The acting is terrific. Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts very, very good. Also Vincent Cassel and Armin Mueller-Stahl. Both top notch.
Doug R.
says
too much violence,course language.acting was ok though
Veronica J.
says
Very violent and graphic...do we really need to see such horror?
Tilda H.
says
It started of as quite promising, but ended up just being lame and unrealistic. They like the sappy hollywood moments in this film towards the end.
Anna D.
says
Fabulous, both Viggo Mortenson and Vincent Cassel, do this film justice. I wonder if Cronenberg has one more film role up his sleeve for Viggo to play?
Siobhan W.
says
Well worth watching, the deceit and suspense was enthralling and the late twist in the tail was the penultimate retribution
Grace H.
says
Good movie but not for those with a weak stomach!
John N.
says
This is not a movie for the followers of Miss Marple, or even 007, as it contains a couple of very gruesome murders and a bath-house scene that might be setting a new benchmark in violence. But it is a gripping thriller with a credible story and great performances from the four principal characters whose casting can only be described as inspired.
Kevin D.
says
More a character study than an action film with a surprising twist at the end as it all came together
Thean Yiong S.
says
This is a pretty good movie. I give this a four star for the good story line. Actors have presented the movie well, and demonstrate the strong character of the secret society of Russian mob. The only imperfection is the ending, which is simple and subtle.
Jemma M.
says
Utter crap .. Hollywood should not attempt to make films like this.. Naomi Watts.. what were you thinking?
Cliiford G.
says
great movie well acted good storyline
Danuta
says
Fascinating look into Russian Maffia World. Even though I was initially disturbed by the subject matter I found the movie rivetting. Mortensen and Watts turn out to be a great lead duo.
Intense & highly credible performances from Viggo Mortensen.
Great story telling from Director. Oscar material for my money.
Sasha L.
says
Aaron F.
says
Starts off very promisingly but sort of just goes nowhere at the end and leaves u wondering what will happen to the characters. Watch it but dont expect an out of the ordinary film.
Charlie P.
says
Shelley M.
says
Interesting film, highlighting some difficult issues. PLot was ripping but the characterisation was a little thin. Not for the feint hearted.
Robert A.
says
Nola B.
says
Cat C.
says
Amazing performances from Armin Mueller Stahl and Viggo Mortensen....although some extremely violent scenes, absolutely worth watching. So different to Cronenberg's other films - grittier.
Adam C.
says
I'm sure I will forget about this movie tomorrow. It was pretty average. But Ok to fill in a couple of hours.
Andrew H.
says
Viggo's performance as a member of the Russian underworld is the core of this film. Good story and nice work from Naomi Watts too.
Meredith M.
says
Excellent movie. Quietly menacing & suspenseful, never quite sure where the story will lead. Viggo Mortensen was spot on............
Brett S.
says
The story moved slowly and thought the twist was obvious from around half way through the movie and found myself feeling for thr FF butoon at times.
Barry R.
says
Violent and graphic and something different with the Russian underword, some good performances all round,well worth a squizz.
Caitlin Y.
says
david
says
Brilliant movie - chilling look into the world of the "Russian Mafia" in New York. Graphic and explicit violence and exploitation , which as realistically presented by Director Cronenberg belongs in this world. . Great acting all round. The physicality of the "sauna" scene is really in your face and easily matches the intensity generated by the special effects that most action movies rely on. Possibly the ending was a bit "soft" but overall excellent.
Ronnie S.
says
Great movie, thorougly enjoyable and great acting from the main actors.
mu
says
What a load of rubbish. Violence for violence sake, wooden acting, very thin story, all in all a waste of time.
Gary H.
says
A well made and acted film that is also brutal and gritty, and not to everyones tast because of that.
Kerry S.
says
Viggo bares all in this film, not just an accomplished actor but a gutsy one too. With my finger hovering over slow-play on the remote, I did however expect more action throughout the rest of the film!
Okto F.
says
Worth Watching
Marg O.
says
Quite enjoyed this with an unexpected twist.