I went to this movie having no real expectations, now be warned this movie is violent and a bit gritty but in that fact it is wonderful. Also once the movie ended I realized that there was no gunplay or explosions. Most action flicks these days are all about over the top heroes who can't be hurt while they fire unlimited ammo from their never failing weapons. The main character in this film had some close calls and I never felt he was a generic superhero very real. To sum up, a bit of reality in these movies was a refreshing change of pace.

In London, an innocent crosses paths with a patriarch of a Russian family whose business is shall we say, cash only. It is a Russian Godfather complete with a wise strong patriarch, a deeply flawed heir apparent In a multi-generational family setting replete with big family dinners, lots of food and drink, kids, music - and graphic and brutal violence, mostly deserved. In other wortds, film worth watching again and again. Naiomi Watts (Mullhullan Drive) sizzles as the naive midwife who looks for a baby's family with a Russian diary that could put away the Russian mob. The Godfather is perfectly cast - as are the son and his soldier. The midwife's Russian uncle who translates the diary is blilliant - his face alone deserves an Oscar! One word: Sequel!

Please somebody save us!!! I'm sick of these really tacky male frontal scenes, why do they spring them on us like that? From American History X, to this nonsense of a terribly cast movie. These scenes cheapen and render unwatchable otherwise passable fare.

There is solid acting in this film. Viggo steals the movie with an amazing performance. Watts shows what shes got as well. This is a great Russian Mafia movie with scenes that make you move in your seat. Honestly, I wasnt a huge fan of Cassel in his role, but you cant always get what you want... I give it a go just for Viggo. He was amazing, as always.

A chilling, uncooked incision that severs the viewer into a reality more raw than one is first willing to admit, but nonetheless is brutally force-fed. A paper cut on the psyche, this movie sieves your heart and mind, ransacks your subconscious, to wreak an inexplicable, strikingly near visceral, corollary. What these characters exude separates this film upon an entirely more cavernous psychological rift altogether. Its complexity is bleeding, a sensory saturation leaving us to metabolize its powerful effect on us long after we leave the theatre. Upon first glance, what Cronenberg faces you with leaves your jaw on the floor, your stomach sank into your lap, your throat swelled up, and your heart wrenched like Cronenberg himself was wringing out a towel. Viggo Mortensen is absolutely mystical, and has entered in my books the supernatural echelons of actors and actresses. Immeasurable directing. Un-befreaking-lievable!!!