#2 - Eastern Promises

Directed by David Cronenberg
2007 Thriller
Rated R

*** 1/2

Prior to 2005, I had never seen a David Cronenberg film. Then he released A History of Violence. One of the best films of the year, it seemed a lock for multiple Oscar nominations. So when January came around and the only one who got any recognition was William Hurt (in the movie less than five minutes), I was understandably disappointed. Cronenberg's latest film, Eastern Promises, will likely be met with the same number of nominations, though I agree with it a bit more. The movie stars Naomi Watts as a British midwife who delivers a baby to a 14 year-old girl. The girl dies; the baby lives. A diary left behind by the girl leads her to several Russian mobsters, including Mortensen, who may have been the reason for the girl's death.
Unlike A History Of Violence, which definitely tried something new with its story, this is more or less a genre picture; a thriller about a crime family. However, what puts this above other films is the performances. Watts and Cassell are both great. However, as the driver for Cassell's character, Mortensen is absolutely incredible. You are never sure of what his intentions are, and never know if you should trust him or not. And when you finally do find out his true intentions, you NEVER see it coming. Certainly worthy of an Oscar nomination. So, while Eastern Promises never rises to the greatness that was A History Of Violence, it is certainly worth a look.