Most often, his softer side comes out during his interaction with Anna (Naomi Watts), a midwife working at a local hospital. Anna has delivered the baby of a teenage Russian sex slave with connections to Nikolai’s employers. When the girl dies in labor, Anna takes it upon herself to locate the child’s family, which draws her into the secret world of drugs, prostitution, and murder. While she attempts to discover the truth about the baby girl and her mother (primarily by reading and translating the mother‘s diary), Nikolai attempts to keep her away- seemingly to protect her from the mounting peril she finds herself in.

Primarily the danger comes from the ruthless head of the crime family, Semyon (Armin Mueller-Stahl), and his erratic son Kirill (Vincent Cassell). While Semyon is busy taking care of the family business, Kirill is out causing problems with rival gangsters- often leaving Nikolai to clean up his dirty work. Nikolai proves himself to be a loyal soldier when it comes to things like disposing of bodies. But when it’s time to recover the diary and eliminate witnesses, where will his loyalties lie?

It’s an intriguing dilemma, that makes for an exceptionally gripping film. Mortensen plays Nikolai perfectly as a man conflicted over what he must do, and where his responsibilities lie. And without giving away the ending, when the film is over and you think about the sacrifices he’s had to make, it’s hard not to feel sorry for the guy. The other actors do fine work- Watts in particular is radiant as the moral center of this world of darkness. However, this is ultimately Mortensen’s film, and he absolutely owns it. It’s a good thing for Cronenberg that Viggo’s his guy.

Comments

You got it right Written by Guest on 2007-10-03 07:36:50 This was a marvelous film. I enjoyed it as much as "History oF Violence" if not more. Viggo and Croneneberg did a great job of creating the chracter of Nikolai. It doesn't matter what the writer puts down on paper, you have to animate the characters for it to work. All the actors did a great job, but Viggo was exceptional.

sigh! Written by Guest on 2007-10-03 08:24:37 You're on the mark that Watts in particular is radiant in this film. I think her performance is strong and quietly powerful and just as equal if not better than Mortensen's only that her role is not as showy so all the creditsseem to be going Mortensen's way which is very unfair to the actress. She deserves more recognition and mention in your review which now seems like just another ga-ga publicity flick for Mortensen, and it's over-the-top.

Watch Closely Written by Guest on 2007-10-03 11:11:29 Viggo's performance is so nuanced that you have to tune into his face as if he were a fine book where you savor every word. I like History better but this acting is his best.

Viggo-oooooooooh Written by Guest on 2007-10-03 16:03:30 Again, Viggo's acting is barely visible, so that one could easily think you actually see him on screen instead of his characters. He so gets into their skin (particularily this time with all the tattoos), that you think he has vanished. He is great!!  I still don't know if I like the film, or if I'm only overwhelmed by it, but the rest of the cast is definitely up to Viggo's standard.

"I'm just the driver" Written by Guest on 2007-10-03 20:52:42 Viggo is absolutley in thee driver seat in this movie. All of his movies are good but this one is great. I really hope David considers doing a part two...even though that is highly unlikly. Gotta of that Viggo!

"It's about time" Written by Guest on 2007-10-04 17:46:23 Viggo Mortensen has been turning out pure gold acting performance for years - NO ONE else could have been Aragorn - he is a dedicated actor and it's about time he gets some recognition because Hollywood seems to ignore him for the more cookie-cutter actors.

Destination Uncool Written by Guest on 2008-01-25 18:04:39 I think David "Brr" Cronenberg is playing with/exploiting Viggo over the comfortable edge. There is one moment in the movie when you can see that - Nikolai has to f*ck the girl with Kirill watching and though he's putting up a believable show, watch his hands carefully - they're tenderly cradling the wretched girl's body and that's the limit of Viggo.   But I can only agree, this is *so* his movie, he rocks it. I would give him the Best Actor Oscar award for it, but the Academy will disagree, I fear.

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