Eastern Promises

The personal diary of a Russian girl who dies while giving birth at Christmastime attracts the attention of Anna Khitrova (Naomi Watts), a London nurse who makes it her personal mission to get the diary translated. Anna makes the mistake of following a trail that leads to a family of first generation Russian mobsters, bent on protecting their sex-trafficking operation. Screenwriter Steve Knight ("Dirty Pretty Things") tailored the script for director David Cronenberg who masterfully weaves suspense, intrigue and fascinating characters into a modern noir milieu. Eruptions of sudden violence carry Cronenberg’s signature brand of palpable force. Viggo Mortensen and Vincent Cassel are stupendous as Russian underworld miscreants hiding more secrets than there are pieces inside a Russian doll. "Eastern Promises" is an exceptionally well-crafted thriller that draws its audience through a thick narrative maze of complicity and double crosses.

Rated R, 100 mins. (A-) (Four Stars)