Eastern Promises Details

Racial Stereotypes

Poorly directed and unprofessional film which lacks basic background knowledge about Eastern Europe. The cast is inappropriate and unconvincing and the plot is shallow and predictable. All characters are grotesque stereotypes whose sole purpose seems to be to convince viewers from the western world that everybody in Eastern Europe is either a gangster, a pimp, a racist, a homophobe or a prostitute. In an age in which racial stereotypes are frowned upon in all developed societies I find this unacceptable.

The film's secret weapon of attracting audiences is violence and nudity...The fact that British viewers reacted to it so positively is disappointing and worrying.

As a film student, I have seen numerous contemporary features from all over the world, yet this one is undoubtedly one of the worst.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Very good premise, and top notch acting from Mortensen

Nominated for an Oscar this year for this role (losing out to shoe-in Daniel Day-Lewis, as expected), 'Eastern Promises' is an intriguing thriller with an unexpected twist at the end that I didn't see coming at all. Very well written, this is a film about London's Russian mafia and the sex-slave trade. Try not to read too many reviews before seeing this film as there are twists and turns in it that you would rather discover for yourself; this is a clever film and with one of the best and most convincing fight scenes I have seen in a modern film in a very long time. One to watch again.