La Promesse

This TV-Movie is totally character-driven, and while the script is important, it's success is primarily reliant on the acting. On this count, you'll never see a TV movie deliver more brilliantly on it's potential than this one.

Of course James Woods gives a spectacular performance. It's not just that he earns his reputation as a top-notch actor here; he goes beyond that to achieve what arguably may be the definitive portrayal of schizophrenia on television OR in film.

But what is most stunning for me about this film is the acting of James Garner. Playing the less showy part of Woods' sane brother, he matches Woods in acting excellence at every step, perfectly complementing the other's work. Mr. Garner has been one of the most reliable actors on the big or small screen for almost half a century, but what he does here goes beyond reliability to something approaching greatness. James Garner is one of the most underrated actors of our time, and nothing proves it more than this film.

Among hundreds of nearly worthless made for TV movies, this rare gem shines. James Woods performance as a mentally handicapped adult is one of the best of his career. The script is sensitively written and the dialog will touch your heart. I only wish this film were available on DVD or VHS.

Not often are IMDb reviewers as consistently laudatory as they are here. But that's understandable. "Promise" is a highly affecting family drama deserving of its many awards. I suspect it's also the kind of film Garner long wanted to make, (he's also the co-producer). As the charming rogue of Maverick and the affable PI of Rockford, he was unrivaled. Here, however, he shows vulnerable emotions never called for in those entertaining but lightweight series. Plus he's truly moving as he tries to reconcile to the care of his troubled brother. But then Bob (Garner) does have a promise to keep to his now deceased mother. Up to that point, he's been shirking his brother, leading an absentee, self-centered life, instead. But now he has to confront the reality of a brother mentally unable to care for himself. Can Bob make that life-altering adjustment.

Woods too is excellent as DJ, the brother. Here he's not as sinister as he often is. Still, he does have to run an emotional gamut from frozen silence to raging enthusiasm. Just as importantly, his chemistry with Garner makes us feel what's on screen and not just the words. As a result, we're drawn inevitably into their predicament. Add a still appealing Piper Laurie to the mix and it's an outstanding threesome.

I'm not surprised the material was filmed for TV rather than theatres since the commercial appeal would seem limited, especially if folks were expecting a typical James Garner. The movie's moral is also a strong one— one I take to be that despite DJ's calamities, he brings to the surface the good man that Bob has always been, but has so far remained hidden from others and himself. In short, both brothers are redeemed in a subtly life-affirming way. All in all, it's a fine offbeat film.

My wife and I were extras for a few scenes. I got to be behind the scenes and spend a lot of time watching two famous Hollywood Actors. I was pleased to see them posing for pictures and signing autographs to the people gathered watching the filming. They could have ran into their private trailers, but waited around all 14 hrs of each day. Garner had an obvious bad cold, but did not try to go indoors during delays. The only negative observation was that both Garner and Woods smoked non-stop during delays. I've seen them do it in numerous movies since then, actually in the movies...I had never thought about it prior to this. They both deserved the Emmy they each won. The movie was a very good movie, making you squirm in your seats, wondering what Woods character would do next. Thanks guys

Put three powerhouse actors together -- James Garner, James Woods and Piper Laurie -- with a decent script, and what do you get? A better-than-decent movie, even beyond the made-for-TV category. James Garner is the brother of an adult schizophrenic whose care he "inherits" via a promise to their now-deceased mother. He got away early and stayed away from the "shame" of his afflicted sibling, but has paid a price, we are given to understand, in being unable to form committed relationships with anyone throughout his adult life. Now thrust unwillingly back with his sick but alarmingly honest brother, plus the sweetheart he had to give up to escape, he manages to be thoroughly unlikeable and human at the same time. The character exhibits just enough growth to make the story feel worth having watched, yet not so much as to be implausible. This is a fine, rewarding drama.