Promises to Keep

"Promises to Keep" is notable as a made for TV film which stars three generations of Mitchums...Robert, his son Christopher and Christoper's son, Bentley...sporting a VERY 80s doo.

Jack (Robert) is a terrible father and husband. He's been away for 30 years and now late in life he's returning to his family. Not surprisingly, the son isn't thrilled and wants him to get lost. The rest...well, they kinda want him to stay...maybe.

The problem with this film for me is that although once again Robert Mitchum makes everything seem so good and natural, this isn't exactly what I'd say about the rest of the actors. Uneven or even bad...the acting just isn't great. Overall, an okay film notable only for the three generations of Mitchums.

Promises To Keep is a Mitchum family project where Robert Mitchum co- stars with son Chris and grandson Bentley playing who they are in real life. Bob deserted his wife Claire Bloom and young son thirty years earlier and now has come back in their lives with a secret. He's got cancer and has to get surgery soon if he's to survive any length of time.

Chris is a hard unforgiving kind who wants nothing to do with his father. Bentley however is curious about the grandfather that everyone hates and is a big family mystery. He bonds with him before the others.

Young Bentley will need all his family soon. He's gotten himself involved in a smuggling racket thinking it all a great adventure.

The film was shot in and around Santa Barbara where Chris Mitchum ekes out a living as a commercial fisherman. He's got all kinds of financial problems himself.

As the Mitchum family is playing themselves they fit comfortably into the parts. This family project is nice family entertainment.

And Bentley Mitchum is one of the few people I've met who can do justice to a mullet haircut. Wonder if he still can?