Eastern Promises, directed by David Cronenberg, follows the story of A British nurse played by Naomi Watts and her struggle to rectify the death of a young Russian girl who left her child motherless. Viggo Mortensen takes the role of Nikolai Luzhin, a driver for Kirill (Vincent Cassel) the son of a leader of the Russian mob. The twisted interworking of organized crime is realistically portrayed. The movie has a strong intertwined plot while still holding true to its realistic ideas. Even in the fight scene in the bathhouses Nikolai is almost killed and most go to the hospital unlike most action scenes where the hero escapes virtually unscathed. David Cronenberg’s Character Kirill, the son of Semyon (Russian mafia boss) is struggling with strong internal conflicts. There are several hints that Kirill struggles with his sexuality as well as his own self-respect. Cronenberg does an incredible job realistically portraying Kirill through his actions in the film. Kirill forces Nikolai to have sex with one of his father’s prostitutes while he watches to “prove he is not a fairy”. Nikolai in response calls Kirill a psycho but must obey. When Simon betrays Nikolai the fight scene is gruesome and realistic after when Kirill is told to kill the child there are no sensationalisms in the way it is filmed. Kirill is in tears not wanting to kill the child he says, “it is just a baby papa…” speaking to himself. Cronenberg is an expect and portraying human emotion he uses everything from natural light and setting to realistic character portrayal to build a single cohesive realistic plot line.
I can see your point that this movie is portrayed very realistically. I mean, the characters all act in ways that you would expect human beings in this situation to react. Also, the issues of sex slavery and mafia crimes are shown in a very "real" way (or at least in a Hollywood real way). And the blood and gore seems consistent with the wounds that have been inflicted to the characters. By all accounts, this movie can be commended on its "realistic" depiction. But yet, I think this movie is best seen through Auteur Theory. After all, Cronenberg in this movie is using some of his recurring themes, which must be seen as intentional. Because why else would these themes be used? I know that he is specifically setting this movie up to fulfill his directorial "vision," and that is why Eastern Promises should be viewed through the Auteur Theory.
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