Eastern Promises (DVD)

Since he started making movies in the late '60s, David Cronenberg has culled an impressive filmography, specializing in unbelievably tense thrillers that more often than not subvert the confines of their genre, achieving deeper insights much more terrifying than they have the right to be. Eastern Promises, his latest collaboration with new BFF Viggo Mortensen, is no exception.

To summarize the plot of Eastern Promises would be a great disservice to both the movie and its viewers, as writing about its intricate storyline without inadvertently spoiling it is a nearly impossible feat. Its murky mysteries surrounding the Russian mob in London are far too labyrinthine to accurately recount, and the payoffs are far more rewarding when initially viewed in a "cold" manner. This deeply immersive film plunges its viewers into a brutal underworld so complex and darkly convoluted (but still comprehensive) it makes you wonder if there really is a light at the end of its tunnel.

Cronenberg has managed to expertly apply the techniques of Pure Cinema to Eastern Promises, and the Hitchcock influence makes it that much better. Much like Vertigo or Rear Window, Eastern Promises wastes no time with useless exposition, instead forcing us to figure out its characters for ourselves. All four leads - Naomi Watts as an inquisitive midwife, Viggo Mortensen as a driver for crime boss Armin Mueller-Stahl, and Vincent Cassel as Stahl's son - instill several layers to their characters, and communicate just as much through their subtleties as through their dialog. This is a cerebral, deliberately paced film, relying on subtext more than anything else.

As with most of Cronenberg's films, Eastern Promises takes place in a heightened reality that is more of a mirror of our own than it is a faithful recreation. There is a certain "stagey" feel to the movie, and while this is normally a kiss of death to most scripts, Cronenberg's excellent direction and the cast use it to subvert our expectations, making the numerous twists and turns all the more jarring.

The only complaint I have, are with this disc's special features, and that is because there are too few. The two featurettes are very well produced and illuminate their respective aspects of the film, but I still wish there was more. Cronenberg's commentary on the A History of Violence DVD was exceptional, and I was really hoping he would grace Eastern Promises with his presence as well. While they are quite scant, these features are still definitely worth your time, and the movie itself is special enough.

Eastern Promises is by far one of the year's best films, and this DVD is a must-own. This is a film that only gets better with repeat viewings, and unlocking its mysteries is a vastly rewarding process. I was floored when I saw it in theaters back in September, and having now seen it a second time, I will gladly attest to its endurance. While some viewers looking for a quick fix of violence will be put off by its deliberate pacing (although there is plenty of violence to go around^*), Eastern Promises is a worthwhile movie that will satisfy those patient enough to give it the proper attention it deserves. The Christmas to New Year's time frame only do more to make it the perfect movie to watch over your vacation.

^*Including the notorious naked knife fight.