REVIEW - 'Eastern Promises' (2007)

David Cronenberg is a filmmaker that divides opinion, splitting the consensus due to his overbearing need to shock his viewers. ‘The Baron of Blood’ is an acquired taste, let’s mention that before this begins. However, it’s mainly for his sci-fi films and their interpretation of gore and violence, which he intertwines with the psychological and the utterly bizarre. Let it be said though, films such as “Videodrome” (1983) and “The Fly” (1986) are now considered classics of the genre (I am a big fan of both). But who would have thought it, the man who quickly became known as a body horror auteur, found even greater success during a two-year spell from 2005-2007 that consisted of the director’s two greatest films in his lengthy portfolio.

“A History of Violence” (2005) and “Eastern Promises” (2007) — the latter of which is celebrating its 15^th birthday this month — are two of the most underrated crime thrillers of the century. They are both electrifying, filled with unrequited tension and angst, but not to stray too far from what he knows. The two films’ interpretation of violence and body horror are second to none — albeit, watered down slightly, for a Cronenberg film that is. Although it would a treat to revisit both films, “Eastern Promises” is the reason we are here. It’s a London gangster thriller that is shocking, as well as a truthful depiction of the city’s crime-riddled streets.

‘Eastern Promises’ at 15 Ages Well

The wonderful thing about “Eastern Promises” turning 15 (damn, doesn’t time fly?) is how well it’s aged in that time. It is one of those films that still gets people talking, whether that be due to its narrative twist, the dark subject matter at its slimy best, or the poetic violence that fleetingly dances in between scenes (we’ll get to that later though).

However, the undeniable fact that will always be spoken about regarding this film is the acting clinic by the now Cronenberg regular, Viggo Mortensen. Aside from the worldwide recognition Mortensen received from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, his work in “Eastern Promises” has also become synonymous with his career. It does so in a brilliantly-established way that consists of such wonderful variety. The actor’s performance as the cold-hearted and morally ambiguous Russian mob enforcer Nikolai is the most amazing transformation, and possibly the greatest acting achievement in his career. A deserved Oscar nomination came his way that year; and if it wasn’t for Daniel Day-Lewis’ exceptional work in “There Will Be Blood,” he might have walked away with the top honour.

Viggo Mortensen at His Best; and Together with Cronenberg Again

Viggo Mortensen in “Eastern Promises,” which would earn the actor an Oscar nomination for ‘Best Actor.’ (Photo: BBC Films).

As is the case with the majority of Cronenberg films, violence is key to the film’s success because of how shocking and memorable the representation is. And let’s be real here — it’s a symphony of the highest order. But something often overlooked (though it’s as effective in creating atmosphere), is the eerie voiceover that echoes throughout the film. The voice belongs to Tatiana (Tatiana Maslany). She’s the tragic young girl who loses her life during the film’s opening, and a character that determines the rest of the film. Tatiana retells her tragic story, with bright hopes of becoming a dancer before walking down the wrong path. She moves to England, becoming involved in a world she had no right being in. It results in her attack, pregnancy, and eventual death. In a film so focused on violence, have words ever been so impactful and heart-breaking as they are here?

But as we all know, Cronenberg stitches the events of the film carefully together to build the foundations for two specific scenes, sequences that live long in the memory and occur purposefully back-to-back. And not forgetting, each scene also consists of Mortensen with little to no clothes on. The first is of the two scenes – and something that is spoke about earlier in the film – is the “giving of the stars” initiation ceremony as Nikolai is accepted into the family. Nikolai’s robot-like approach to the grilling he receives from the five Russian bosses is chilling: “I am dead already. I died when I was fifteen, and now I live in the zone all the time” is about as cool as you can sound while sitting in your underpants.

One of the Most Iconic Crime Thrillers of the Century

What makes this sequence so symbolic is the ruthless relationship it shares with the next scene, arguably the most iconic fight scene of the Century. Along with Mortensen being completely naked, this sequence is poetic in authenticity and sheer violence. He is a man fighting against odds and fighting for his life. He is willing to use whatever prison tactics his turbulent life has taught him. Not only is Cronenberg’s skill for interpreting violence prominent here, but it’s the moment when everything comes clear. It’s a realisation that the importance of the initiation meant diddly squat to the man at the helm. The ruthless Russian mob boss Semyon’s (Armin Mueller-Stahl) only quest is to save himself and his son, Kirill (Vincent Cassel). With all this clarity, the film’s questions of morality become enlightened. The winds have changed direction, and these two scenes are key for the whole thing.

David Cronenberg once again fuses violence with style to craft his narrative. (Photo: BBC Films).

With all this clarity now in the air, the films powerful questions of morality now become enlightened. The winds are swiftly changing direction, and these two scenes are key for the whole thing.

The success of “Eastern Promises,” especially coming off the back of “A History of Violence” is something quite rare. Cronenberg’s failed to recapture the magic of these thrillers in any of his future projects (and God knows he’s tried). “Eastern Promises” also benefits from the great relationship Cronenberg has with the film’s screenwriter, Steven Knight. He’s a man whose skill at manipulating the narratives of the crime genre has since made him a household name. Whatever argument one can make for the film’s undeniable acclaim over the years, one thing is for sure, and that’s the fact that “Eastern Promises” is one of the most iconic crime thrillers of the Century.