Viggo Mortensen
Age:49
Role:
Nikolai Luzhin in Eastern Promises
Character:
The mysterious and charismatic Russian-born Nikolai Luzhin (Mr. Mortensen) is a driver for one of Londons most notorious organized crime families of Eastern European origin. The family itself is part of the Vory V Zakone criminal brotherhood.But Nikolais carefully maintained existence is jarred once he crosses paths at Christmastime with Anna Khitrova (Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts), a midwife at a North London hospital.
Anna is deeply affected by the desperate situation of a young teenager who dies while giving birth to a baby. Anna resolves to try to trace the babys lineage and relatives.
The girls personal diary also survives her; it is written in Russian, and Anna seeks answers in it.
Previous Oscar Wins:
None
Previous Oscar Nominations:
None
Critics:
In Eastern Promises, David Cronenberg's hellacious new Russian mob movie, Viggo Mortensen finally comes of age as an actor and a movie star. Boston Globe
Viggo Mortensen lends a moral complexity to Eastern Promises that makes it much more than just a very accomplished action thriller. New York Post
Thanks to its compelling story and a powerful performance by Mortensen. Total Film
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Other Best Actor nominations