Eastern Promises

This is a beautiful film. Being a Cronenberg, I expected violence and gore out the wazoo, but instead I got a thoughtful, romantic thriller with a great cast. There is violence and it is nasty but it does not dominate the film. It is the threat of violence that dominates and creates the suspense. I loved seeing Armin Mueller-Stahl as the Russian patriarch. He had an awesome blend of cuddly granddad and vicious mob boss. Watching him try to charm Naomi Watson was delicious. Viggo Mortenson is terrific. The entire picture kept me riveted and involve without being The History of Violence Part 2.
Memorable moment: Viggo being made.