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CultureCinemaMovie reviews

A Promise

A Promise | Movie review
9 August 2014
Filippo L'Astorina
Avatar
Filippo L'Astorina
9 August 2014

Movie and show review

Filippo L'Astorina

A Promise

★★★★★

Release date

1st August 2014

Certificate

UPG121518 title=

Links

FacebookWebsite

A Promise is an adaptation of Sefan Zweig’s novel Journey into the Past (Widerstand der Wirklichkeit). The picture tells a complicated love story that tackles the challenge of long-term, long-distance separation in early 20th-century Germany.

Friedrich, a graduate of humble origins (Richard Madden), takes up a clerical post in a steel factory. Impressed by his work, the elderly owner Karl (Alan Rickman) takes him on as his private secretary. Karl is confined to his home due to his declining health, and the young man moves in to continue his work. There he meets the owner’s wife, Lotte (Rebecca Hall), a much younger woman, beautiful and reserved.

As time passes Friedrich falls passionately in love with Lotte but does not dare reveal his feelings. A romantic intrigue develops in this stifling bourgeois home, all looks and silences, without a single word or gesture of love.

French director Patrice Leconte adapted the story and for the first time makes a movie in English. A Promise is a classic romance enriched by modern camera movements – Leconte is the camera operator himself, one of very few directors to take on this role. With his oblique approach to direction, he gives a contemporary interpretation to very classic characters.

Even though the script is dull and uneventful at times, the strong acting and direction make the film worth watching till the end.

★★★★★

Filippo L’Astorina, the Editor

A Promise is released nationwide on 1st August 2014 and on VOD on 4th August.

Related Itemsalan rickmanfilmgermanypatrice leconterebecca hallreviewrichard maddenromance

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Movie and show review

Filippo L'Astorina

A Promise

★★★★★

Release date

1st August 2014

Certificate

UPG121518 title=

Links

FacebookWebsite

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