User Reviews

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.

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.

With a mantle of an unprecedented five Emmy awards, Promise should still be watched by modern audiences. Don't be put off by the year of release and dismiss it as part of the "disease of the week" tv movies of the 1980s. It's still just as relevant today, because mental illness has become more prevalent. James Woods plays James Garner's brother with a host of mental problems. In the film, he's labeled as schizophrenic, but modern audiences can pick out autism, agoraphobia, manic depression, and OCD in his performance. This role is an absolute tour-de-force for Woods. He has a constant intense energy, even when he's retreating within himself and watching infomercials. He has childlike sensitivity and bursts into tears when his feelings get hurt. When happy and excited, we can literally see him spiral out of control. When depressed, we see the light in his eyes shut off as he withdraws and indulges all the negative voices in his head. There are times when this movie will be very hard to watch, and times when all you'll want to do is reach into the television and give Woods a hug.

James Garner is also wonderful in this movie, and he also has a very realistic character. He loves his brother, but he doesn't want to permanently burden himself with caring for him. He's embarrassed, he loses his temper, but ultimately he's sorry for both of them. Garner starts off the movie with a successful real estate business, tons of friends in town, and a budding romance. When he inherits his brother after their mom dies, it's a lot to take in, especially when he's in the middle of grieving. Piper Laurie is an old flame with a heart of gold, but can she help soften his edges?

Keep your eyes open for a beautiful blonde with a sensational figure. Do you recognize her cute little smile? It's Barbara Niven in her debut (but she's billed as Barbara Lee Alexander), and how adorable that she got her start on Hallmark and is still with the network thirty years later! The rest of the movie really isn't adorable, but it is very touching and emotional. Make sure you're in the mood for something this heavy, and get ready for a very well-acted movie.

Yes, Garner can cry and seem masculine at the same time better then all. James Woods is unparalleled in his ability to play a distraught over the edge personality. That is not what makes this movie.

James Garner, James Woods, an award winning director et alia come together to give a rarity--no dissolution into non-reality trickery. How's that for pompous "review-speak"? What I mean is that this movie manages to give the feeling that you are watching the character's lives unfold in front of you. The lives take center stage, not tricks of writing, acting, or directing.

This is the difference between maudlin "disease of the week" movies and what they try to imitate, movies such as this rarity.

Watch this movie to see a "real" movie. Oddly enough this compelling reality reminds me of "Twelve Angry Men"--totally different, yet real also.

It beats me how this excellent film has never been made into a video/DVD. The acting by James Garner and James Woods is superb. It is far and away better than 'Rainman' and deserves a wider audience. Woods character is so three dimensional and believable, I am sure he must have studied long and hard to reproduce the handicapped brother so brilliantly. Garners character , who doesn't want to be saddled with a 'cripple' but gradually is taken over by his love for him, is also fine acting. So many films of no significance , with bad acting, bad scripts and nothing much to commend them, are available . Surely the film company must realise what a commercial success this would be. PLEASE let's have a DVD.

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.

There weren't enough awards to properly honor this great made for TV movie. Whoever cast this film did an amazing job. Garner was great, but Woods was over the top great. He was amazing in this film. And those two actors together created a moving thought provoking story. I came across it by accident on Turner Classic Movies. I was just surfing by and saw James Garner and stopped to see what he was up to in this film. And I was rewarded with this marvelous story. I'm not going to spell the story out as some reviewers do. Enough people have already done that. I just want to add my voice to the others that have endorsed this film. Since it was on TV it didn't have the weight or promotion that a theatrical film might get. Don't miss this film. You'll be well rewarded.

'Promise' is a heartbreaking, tear-jerker that touches the core of your heart. I was emotional & moved by this Emmy-Award-Winning Gem. Its a special film, about us & our emotions.

'Promise' Synopsis: When his mother dies, estranged son Bob (James Garner) inherits her estate, and, surprisingly, custody of his younger brother D.J. (James Woods), who suffers from schizophrenia. Bob is initially reluctant at his new responsibility, but remembers that he had promised his mother to look after his brother.

'Promise' is about family, love, care & above-all, loyalty. The tale of the two brother unfolds with high emotion & impeccable intensity. I was moved to tears, especially in the penultimate portions. This is a film that needs to be watched by everyone, who has a family.

Richard Friedenberg's Screenplay, which won an Emmy, is beautiful. Glenn Jordan's Direction is skilled. Kudos to Jordan for churning out such a touching film. Gayne Rescher's Cinematography is picture-perfect. Editing is rightly done, as well.

Performance-Wise: James Woods is brilliant in his Emmy-Award Winning performance. As D.J, Woods delivers a performance that's purely sympathetic & believable. The Late/Great James Garner, however, steals the show. As Bob, Garner pitches in an astonishing performance, that expresses humanity, with precision. Piper Laurie, in an also Emmy-Award Winning performance, is another topper. As Annie, Laurie embodies her part & is wonderful all through.

On the whole, If your have a family, Watch 'Promise'. This is a film with a big heart!

Literally. Have been trying to find/watch "Promise" for decades. Loved the two James in the cast-Garner and Woods. After all these years still remember loving this story.

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

James Garner was very proud of his work in Promise and deservedly so. He was quoted as praising to the skies the work of James Woods in this film, but Garner himself should have gotten more kudos for not playing his usual kind of laid back character.

Promise is both the title of this film and the obligation Garner feels toward his late mother. Woods is his much younger brother and since his teen years has been in a mental institution for schizophrenia. Now mom has passed on and Garner inherits the responsibility for her heavily mortgaged house and his institutionalized brother.

In this film and in life the options for the mentally ill just aren't good ones. Garner can't cope living with him and the places to put him are either horribly run or too expensive. Think of having Woods coping with some Ms. Ratched in some institution.

Garner and Woods play beautifully off each other. Garner extends his range in this, he's not Bret Maverick or Jim Rockford here. Woods is really outstanding here playing in his life an astonishing range of quirky characters, but he really outdoes himself in this part. There's also a nice performance from Piper Laurie as a sympathetic neighbor.

There are some similarities here to Rainman in the reverse relationship between the brothers. In Rainman it's the younger brother caring for an older brother. I'd be hard pressed to split the difference between them. It's only Rainman had a big screen release and Promises is a made for TV film.

It's one of the best of its kind though and should not be missed.

"Promise" is an exceptionally good made for television movie. The acting is wonderful but it also is well worth seeing because it exposes a serious and usually neglected problem...the lack of programs to deal with the millions of folks dealing with mental illnesses.

When the film begins, Bob (James Garner) is dealing with his mother's death. However, what you don't initially see is Bob's brother, D.J. (James Woods)...another responsibility Bob needs to take care of now that their mother is dead. It seems that D.J. is chronically mentally ill and is unable to care for himself...and that sure complicates Bob's life. He clearly wants nothing to do with D.J. but he promised his mother long, long ago that he'd watch over D.J. after her death. Much of the film consists of Bob learning to care about this estranged brother as well as his coming to realize that this responsibility is just too much for him to handle.

This is naturally a sad film. What's worse is that it exposes a serious unspoken problem--that there simply are very few facilities to deal with the severely mentally ill--whether in-patient or within the community. There are waiting lists, expenses and other hurdles the average person might not be able to handle...and the film is about Bob's struggle with this and his promise. Well done in every way but be forewarned...it's certainly NOT a feel-good movie!

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.