Amazon Prime viewers will be pleased to learn this gangster epic has been hailed by fans as a “10/10” and it is available on the streaming platform now. Eastern Promises is a 2007 gangster film directed by David Cronenberg, adapted from a screenplay by Steven Knight. The film stars Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel and Armin Mueller-Stahl.
The film’s synopsis reads: “Nikolai (Mortensen), who is both ruthless and mysterious, has ties to one of the most dangerous crime families in London. He crosses paths with Anna (Watts), a midwife who has come across potentially damaging evidence against the family, which forces him to set in motion a plan of deceit, death and retribution.
Eastern Promises received critical acclaim upon its release, appearing on several critics’ “top 10 films” lists for 2007 and since then it has become somewhat of a cult film. It has won several awards, including the Audience Prize for best film at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Best Actor award for Mortensen at the British Independent Film Awards. The film also received twelve Genie Award nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations, alongside Mortensen securing a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Eastern Promises has received an impressive 89% rating from the critics of Rotten Tomatoes. Their consensus states: “David Cronenberg triumphs again, showcasing Viggo Mortensen’s onscreen prowess in a daring performance. Bearing the trademarks of psychological drama and gritty violence, Eastern Promises is a very compelling crime story.”
One critic said: “The dark and brooding world of the Russian Mafia makes for thrilling movie material – and the jumping point for a contemporary gangster epic.”
Another added: “An intricate and mesmerising thriller, featuring stellar performances (especially by Mortensen, who gives the bravest performance of his career) and an excellent script by Steven Knight.”
A fan awarded the film with 10/10 and said: “Russian mobsters, a rainy, murky London, a midwife and Viggo Mortensen make this David Cronenberg film a perfect companion piece to his A History of Violence. My two favourite films of this idiosyncratic and fascinating director. This is not a film to like but to love, and I loved it.”
Eastern Promises is available to stream on Amazon Prime.