Never before have I wanted to speak Russian, have a 16-inch tattoo of the Kremlin, and do time in a Ukrainian prison-that is, until I saw "Eastern Promises."

David Cronenberg and actor Viggo Mortensen have paired up to explore the world of organized crime in Eastern Promises. Once again they attempt to reveal the psychological intricacies of the criminal mind, focusing on an internal portrait of the Russian mob family Vory V Zakone. Luckily for us, this time they did away with the abysmal, if not laughable, child acting that detracted from their last collaboration, "A History of Violence." The result is an all-around enjoyable crime drama.

The plot unravels in two intersecting stories: One surrounds the relationship between Nikolai (Mortensen) and the family playboy Kirill (Vincent Cassel), while the other follows midwife Anna (Naomi Watts) as she delves into the Russian crime world in her attempt to discover the identity of an orphaned baby. As Watts finds herself in greater danger, she becomes more determined in her quest, attempting to reconcile her world with the much darker one she has encountered.

The film plays upon many stereotypes of organized crime. However, it does so in one of the most convincing and moving fashions to date; as Watts uncovers the story behind the orphan, we gradually begin to understand each character and the circumstances that have shaped their respective lives.

The story progresses with film noir likeness, as dark and rainy London streets are about all you will ever see in terms of cinematography. Screenwriter Steven Wright has created a plot that is political, psychological and emotional, bringing issues of human trafficking, Oedipal repression and innate violence to the forefront of the viewer's attention. Consistently good acting and a nice mixture of Russian accents and actual Russian conversation further lend to the reality of the little-understood crime world.

However, plot, Russia, and violence aside, this movie is made from great acting. Whereas many scenes and emotions in "A History of Violence" seemed forced, this movie proceeds fluidly from start to finish with even minor roles doing an excellent job.

Mortensen's performance is probably his best to date and will keep you guessing until the end while Watts, who generally comes off as bland and disinterested, is a much more apparent force in this film. At least to the untrained eye, the movie, with great aid from its actors (the majority of whom seem to be of Eastern origins), successfully reproduces the Eastern aspect of each character whether in one of the criminals or Anna's disgruntled expatriate uncle.

Russian tattoos, vodka, brothels and violence ensue; the result is a steady climax from start to finish with just enough twists and turns to leave us with a pleasantly succinct 100-minute running time in a genre often plagued by overextension.

Although the film ends without a definitive conclusion, we are left far from where we set out with a new perspective on almost every character-which is all I really ask of a Hollywood film.

In summary, if you are looking for a good crime drama that does not aim too high, see this movie.

Oh and did I mention Viggo has a five-minute naked knife fight that should push you one way or the other ... nice work Hollywood.