Eastern Promises Shows the Peak Work of a Master

David Cronenberg has turned from a pulpy, gruesome horror director from Canada that got little notice in Hollywood into one of the most daring and impressive independent directors working in film today. Surprising many with his amazing A History of Violence, he launched himself into the Hollywood spotlight with an Oscar-worthy film. Now, teaming back up with A History of Violence (and Lord of the Rings) star Viggo Mortensen, he’s delivered another stunner with Eastern Promises.

A dark, unsettling tale about the Russian mafia in London, it deals with human trafficking, contract killings, betrayal, and other less-than-pleasant topics. But thanks to knockout performances by both Mortensen and Naomi Watts, it keeps from being overwhelmingly dark. It’s the glimmers of hope that peek around in the humanity of the characters that bring the movie shooting past bearable and into the revelatory category. It’s not a movie that’s easy to sit through thanks to Cronenberg’s trademark love of showing the goriest of details, but it’s well worth it for any fan of serious cinema.

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