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Plot

Promise represented the first of several momentous TV-movie teamings of James Garner and James Woods. Garner plays an affable middle-aged salesman. When his mother dies, Garner is compelled to fulfill his long-ago promise to her: to look after his schizophrenic younger brother Woods. What begins as a fitfully painful experience for both men culminates with an unexpected, powerful climax, predicated by a memory-laden fishing trip. Piper Laurie co-stars as an old flame of Garner who finds herself a compassionate spectator to the troubled and bizarrely touching relationship between the two long-estranged brothers. Written by Richard Friedenberg, The Promise premiered December 14, 1986. Emmy awards were bestowed upon James Woods, Piper Laurie, Richard Friedenberg, director Glenn Jordan, and the film itself.
MPAA Rating:
Genre(s):
Drama
Run Time:
96min.
Director(s):
Glenn Jordan
Themes:
Sibling Relationships,Mental Illness
Tone:
Affectionate,Bittersweet,Compassionate,Gentle,Understated,Stirring
Keywords:
bachelor,brother,car,craziness,death-in-family,lifestyle,love,mental-illness,middle-age,mother,promise,responsibility,schizophrenia,sibling
Language:
English