Eastern Promises — (Cronenberg, 2007)
#51
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This film is the most accessible film of Cronenberg's filmography. Viggo gives a great performance, even though the script telegraphs his character true identity. Speaking of the script, its good, but lacks substance that I enjoy seeing in a Cronenberg film. That was pretty disappointing. The film just ends on a note where most will say, "What? That's it?".
But its still better than most of the films this year, but not Top 10 material, maybe Top15 or 20 (if you see that many films-I do).
Grade: B-
But its still better than most of the films this year, but not Top 10 material, maybe Top15 or 20 (if you see that many films-I do).
Grade: B-
#53
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Originally Posted by Zodiac_Speaking
That was pretty disappointing. The film just ends on a note where most will say, "What? That's it?".
#54
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I just saw the movie in the theaters and loved it. If The Departed can get Best Picture, then I hope this movie gets best picture, because Cronenberg deserves it, Cassel deserves it, and Mortenson deserve it. I'm so sick of Italian mafia movies, I would like to see more Russian mafia movies, because after all, they are more viscious than the Italians.
I have some spoiler questions:
I have some spoiler questions:
Spoiler:
#55
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Just watched this and I'd say it's my new favorite film of 2007. I had shaky expectations for it because I'd heard a lot of people say it was a borefest, but about 25 or so minutes in I realized that it was not boring at all and in fact that I was quite captivated by it. From about that point on in the movie, I was kinda on the edge of my seat with anticipation, expecting a really great film. And this delivered.
I thought the plot was one of the most compelling ones I've seen in a long time, and that the acting performance and stage presence Viggo commands in this movie is immaculate, most notably culminating in the Lost in Translation-esque kiss at the end of the film. I also really liked the final contemplative shot of Viggo at the movie's end, I've always been a big fan of contemplative endings like that (Godfather 3, anybody?).
Fantastic movie.
I thought the plot was one of the most compelling ones I've seen in a long time, and that the acting performance and stage presence Viggo commands in this movie is immaculate, most notably culminating in the Lost in Translation-esque kiss at the end of the film. I also really liked the final contemplative shot of Viggo at the movie's end, I've always been a big fan of contemplative endings like that (Godfather 3, anybody?).
Fantastic movie.
#57
Originally Posted by slop101
I liked it just fine, but thought that
And as Zodiac mentions above, it didn't have the depth typical to a Cronie film.
Spoiler:
#58
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Honestly, I thought it ended rather good. The only way they could've ended it with the spoiler mentioned above is if it was another hour longer probably. I think they just wanted a short sweet movie.
I guess I'm the only one who think it ended perfect, without any confusion.
I guess I'm the only one who think it ended perfect, without any confusion.
#59
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Saw it last night and loved it - DC best film to date.....IMO (The guy just keeps getting better and better).
The ending did piss me off - just left WAY too many things unresolved.
The ending did piss me off - just left WAY too many things unresolved.
Spoiler:
#62
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I think I'm actually going to buy this one...can't get it out of my head and I want to see if I can take something further away from that ending.
So far...
So far...
Spoiler:
#63
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Originally Posted by Original Desmond
man that fight in the sauna room was one of the best fight scenes ever !
Overall, I thought Eastern Promises was pretty good. It started off slow, and stayed slow for longer than I liked, but as the movie progressed, it got very entertaining. Great performances by the whole cast. Viggo Mortensen was the star of the film, no doubt.
I've only seen this movie, out of the ones that have been nominated for a Golden Globe. I still need to see (waiting for the DVD releases) No Country for Old Men, American Gangster and Michael Clayton, So I can judge if it should be the winner or not. Still, bloody good stuff.
I'd give it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
#66
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Originally Posted by Original Desmond
man that fight in the sauna room was one of the best fight scenes ever !
#67
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#68
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I just rented this and i liked it. I'm glad Viggo and Watts didn't get together because that would've been a typical Hollywood move and pretty boring. They were "2 ships crossing in the night", as Cronenberg said in the feature on the dvd, and I think it works better this way. Also, I was kinda surprised at how Cassel's character was at the end. It seemed like there was going to be some kind of showdown between him and Viggo but again, the story didn't take the typical Hollywood route with this and I could appreciate that.
#72
Senior Member
Eastern Promises....good film, horrible ending
Hey Dave! Ya made a good film but where's the rest of it?
I was sitting here, compelled by this story and it definitely had a firm grip on me until all of sudden the credits roll. So many things are left unresolved.
What eventually happened to Semyon? Was he ever charged or arrested for raping Tatiana? Or was he killed by Nikolai?
What became of Nikolai? Did he take over Semyon's role as head of the Vory?
Why did Semyon have Nikolai set up?
Did we ever find out that Kirill was really gay?
So many questions so little answers. I actually wonder if Cronenberg is planning a sequel. He certainly left the ending open for one.
Good movie ruined by an extremely unresolved ending.
I was sitting here, compelled by this story and it definitely had a firm grip on me until all of sudden the credits roll. So many things are left unresolved.
What eventually happened to Semyon? Was he ever charged or arrested for raping Tatiana? Or was he killed by Nikolai?
What became of Nikolai? Did he take over Semyon's role as head of the Vory?
Why did Semyon have Nikolai set up?
Did we ever find out that Kirill was really gay?
So many questions so little answers. I actually wonder if Cronenberg is planning a sequel. He certainly left the ending open for one.
Good movie ruined by an extremely unresolved ending.
#74
DVD Talk Limited Edition
There's already a thread here: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=506709