SparkMore
n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.
Allison Davies
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin
The movie really just wants to entertain people.
blumdeluxe
"Eastern promises" is a story about the Russian mafia. It deals with how the birth of a little girl in a London hospital starts a chain of events, that draws an innocent nurse deeper and deeper into the hidden world of crime that some Russian gangs established right in the heart of the United Kingdom.The movie shines through a prominent cast, where at least all the bigger roles are played by well-known actors. The plot is interesting enough to keep the audience entertained and delivers some twists that you might not expect. You can see, that there has been quite a budget for this film, even though the rather cheap blood effects would sometimes make you think differently. Unfortunately, I didn't really catch fire. Maybe the characters are just a bit too one-dimensional at times, or maybe they're too close to what we already know from many movies alike, but even though I felt entertained throughout the whole play-time, this isn't a movie I could connect to very much.All in all it is nevertheless a very well written and directed mafia movie, that will surely find its fans in the genre. If you liked comparable movie, you won't do anything wrong with this one, neither.
Floated2
Eastern Promises has been praise as one of David Cronenberg's finest films, for several reasons. Although the film is well acted by it's leads, and the scenery is wonderful, the overall storyline and plot of the film tends to lag and is not as intriguing or entertaining as many make it out to be. Eastern Promise is quite short in running time which in this case there could have been more time to develop other plot points. The main criticism of this film is that the storyline is not intriguing and it is very predictable. And rather boring and bland at times. We understand what will occur throughout, and the suspense is very non- existent. No twists or key points which make the viewers wanted more. The acting is well thought out as Cronenberg is prime with Viggo Mortensen for another collaboration, and Naomi Watts delivers her role thoughtfully. Very few scenes of strong violence, and it is very far and in between. The violence occurs only quickly and is not as stable and throughout or unexpecting as it could have been.
johnwiltshireauthor
This is a very gritty, authentic Russian mob story with a relatively simple plot that works because of the brilliant performances. Throughout the film you're sucked into the very seductive world of the mob, where loyalty and love are as much in evidence as murderous psychosis. I recommend you don't read too much about the plot before you see it. It's interesting to contrast this very British production with John Wick, which is also set amongst the Russian Mafia, but in that case in America. This is a much grimier, less glamorous view of what that world might be like. Viggo Mortensen entirely steals this film with a superbly controlled menace which lurks behind his impassive facade. Not many actors would be willing to do a nude fight scene of such raw violence as occurs in this movie. But then not many could play a tattoo-covered naked Russian hit man fighting for his life in a bathhouse and get away with it as brilliantly as Viggo does. Highly recommended.
AlexanderExtazy
This is one of the greatest UK produced movies. UK movie industry is and will always be thousands of times more entertaining than Hollywood's crap.In this movie for instance.. the plots are simultaneous and unpredictive. Hollywood's scenes are too predictive and we even know what the actors will say before they say it.In the case of Eastern Promises, the acting is beautiful. Viggo's Russian is fantastic and I made believe he was actually Russian, until I checked out that he's originally Norwegian.The whole setting of the Russian family with their foot struck in London's underbelly is fascinating; especially the wickedness of Viggo's undercover role.Viggo is one of the most talented actors of this age. Every movie he is in, he does a marvelous job in acting it out; unlike brad pitt for instance.. every movie i see brad pitt not the character he's portraying... not to mention the stupidity of his roles.Nevertheless, UK movie industry is producing spectacular films and I feel very entertained watching each and everyone of them.
