Viewed – 11 March 2008 DVD

David Cronenberg was once mostly known for disturbing horror / dramas that focused on ‘body horror’ and disease, with the likes of Shivers and The Fly. At his best he’s explored the human psyche to brilliantly creepy effect in films like Dead Ringers and Naked Lunch. Yet more recently he has also become a very interesting gangster movie maker. Following on from the unflinching A History of Violence, Cronenberg explores his new playground further and takes that film’s lead Viggo Mortensen with him.

This time we’re in London where a gutsy young midwife (Naomi Watts – as beautiful and convincing as ever) becomes embroiled in the case of a dead prostitute, a new born baby and the Russian Mafia. Mortensen, sporting a very good Russian accent plays a seedy driver / body guard to the local gang, and delivers a steadily menacing and layered performance of a man with more to him than meets the eye. Cronenberg once again, like A History Of Violence gives us frank scenes of sex, nudity and shocking violence (with probably the most savage throat slit in cinema history!) and creates a feeling of dread and brutal realism throughout.

Although for me the film seemed to end too easily, and I was hoping for a bigger climax, this still delivers a powerful and gripping take on the gangster genre in that unique Cronenberg style.

Verdict: 4 /5