When it comes to films with a tragedy event, it feels like it would always be a better idea to throw in a love triangle to help create a more dramatic experience. The Promise does that and failed, this time going during the Ottoman Empire and the genocide atrocity that many Armenian people were being murdered. It is a story that not many historical films went over. The film has an okay story, talented actors playing dull characters, and a direction that thinks a love triangle would be perfect for a mass tragedy war.
The plot follows Mikael (Oscar Isaac), who lives in an Armenian village with his family. Studying to go to medical school and promised to be married to a family friend and in return his medical lessons are paid for. Once arriving in Turkey, he stays with his wealthy uncle, where he meets an Armenian woman Ana (Charlotte Le Bon). She was raised in Paris and with a journalist Chris (Christian Bale). Their relationship has not been perfect, when Chris is committed to his work and trying to be a heroic in exposing the truth about the war. Mikael falls in love with Ana, right before when World War I begins. Mikael tries to exempt himself from being enlisted to the military by stating that he is a medical student. When a round up, ends with him being caught and taken to a labor camp on building a railroad. Meanwhile, Ana and Chris are reaching across to help a group of orphans taking refuge in a missionary retreat to try to get out of the country. Especially, when Chris witnessed as the Ottoman army are taking the Armenian people and "relocating" them to a different area. Only to see that they are being executed.
The plot was decent, and yes it is one of those historical films that go over the Armenian genocide. Which is something that is never seen before in historical films during the World War I. Sadly, the film also fails when they try to add a love triangle with Mikael already being promised to another for marriage but falls in love with Ana. Who is already in a relationship with Chris and their struggle of a relationship. Which she is frustrated for his rude drunk behavior at parties. We can all tell with the predictableness on how this all plays out. It really feels like they force this subplot of a love story in a tragedy event. Sure, other films work it out better like Titanic, Pearl Harbor, etc.
Christian Bale is a great actor and Oscar Isaacs as well. Charlotte Le Bon is a beautiful stunning actress. There characters are forgettable. The direction is also dull and boring. Could have been better if they had a better music score to build the emotional tension. The most emotional tension we get from the movie is when Mikael notices the Armenian people he once knew, murdered in the forest. And that silent moment on screen was a powerful emotional scene.
Overall, The Promise is a historical drama film that missed its mark on being a masterpiece when it falls under its love triangle clichés, dull written characters, and a boring direction.
The plot follows Mikael (Oscar Isaac), who lives in an Armenian village with his family. Studying to go to medical school and promised to be married to a family friend and in return his medical lessons are paid for. Once arriving in Turkey, he stays with his wealthy uncle, where he meets an Armenian woman Ana (Charlotte Le Bon). She was raised in Paris and with a journalist Chris (Christian Bale). Their relationship has not been perfect, when Chris is committed to his work and trying to be a heroic in exposing the truth about the war. Mikael falls in love with Ana, right before when World War I begins. Mikael tries to exempt himself from being enlisted to the military by stating that he is a medical student. When a round up, ends with him being caught and taken to a labor camp on building a railroad. Meanwhile, Ana and Chris are reaching across to help a group of orphans taking refuge in a missionary retreat to try to get out of the country. Especially, when Chris witnessed as the Ottoman army are taking the Armenian people and "relocating" them to a different area. Only to see that they are being executed.
The plot was decent, and yes it is one of those historical films that go over the Armenian genocide. Which is something that is never seen before in historical films during the World War I. Sadly, the film also fails when they try to add a love triangle with Mikael already being promised to another for marriage but falls in love with Ana. Who is already in a relationship with Chris and their struggle of a relationship. Which she is frustrated for his rude drunk behavior at parties. We can all tell with the predictableness on how this all plays out. It really feels like they force this subplot of a love story in a tragedy event. Sure, other films work it out better like Titanic, Pearl Harbor, etc.
Christian Bale is a great actor and Oscar Isaacs as well. Charlotte Le Bon is a beautiful stunning actress. There characters are forgettable. The direction is also dull and boring. Could have been better if they had a better music score to build the emotional tension. The most emotional tension we get from the movie is when Mikael notices the Armenian people he once knew, murdered in the forest. And that silent moment on screen was a powerful emotional scene.
Overall, The Promise is a historical drama film that missed its mark on being a masterpiece when it falls under its love triangle clichés, dull written characters, and a boring direction.