WWVD (What Wouldn't Viggo Do)

I don't know shit about directing, but when I read that the new film Eastern Promises was directed by David Cronenberg, the director of 2005's A History of Violence, that became almost as good a reason to see this movie as its star, Mr. Renaissance himself, Viggo Mortensen. Eastern has much the same feel as Violence; similarly savage but crucial bloodshed, comparable plot twists. It also has compelling performances from every single character, from the smallest to the biggest, including Viggo's Nikolai: A body full of tattoos. A flawless Ukranian accent topped off with the signature understated tenor. A confidence in the strength of his naked body.
While the final 1/4 of the film is not particularly surprising, it's still so satisfying because of what the characters have contributed to the story. There is simply too much that can be said about this movie, so I won't even begin to try. But there are some beautiful surprises including the acting heavyweight Armin Mueller-Stahl cast as the godfather of the Russian mob. His sausage-y lips give him the look of a sweet old man, but the fierce blueness of his eyes reveals something entirely different. Be scared.