In The Promise, we fall back to 1914 as The Great War begins. This film shows us a truly tragic love story during the chaotic events of the Armenian Genocide. The Promise is easily the most important film of 2017, as it touches on one of the most destructive yet least recognised massacres of all time.
Don’t let the title fool you though, this love story is nothing like Titanic. Although a beautiful tale between the characters unfolds, there are plenty of thrilling and witty scenes for all audiences. It starts with a very playful and sincere feel but we’re soon thrown into chilling acts of oppression and terror- scenes that will make your toes curl.
Oscar Isaac plays Mikael, an Armenian medical student who faces a complicated romance with Ana, played by Charlette le Bon. Mikael and Ana share an instant connection but both characters are committed to other people. Academy-award winner, Christian Bale, plays Ana’s partner and American journalist, Chris Myers. Despite their conflicting love interests, these characters must survive the brutality around them. The entire cast in this film have done an incredible job, leaving us with realistic and empathised characters.
Director, Terry George, has done a remarkable job at balancing aspects of romance and war without overwhelming us with such a horrific event. George himself stated, “As we fell in love with their characters, we also learned of the hardships, the joy and the pain they experienced as part of history.” This is exactly why The Promise is important to watch.
While the film has plenty of intense and thrilling moments, there are scenes that will make you feel weak, as we see the story of Turkey and their attempt at destroying an entire nation. Even if you aren’t a fan of historic films, this is well-worth the time. Writer, Robin Swicord, has given us this powerful story that won’t only keep you entertained but leave you with something to think about.
To compliment this beautiful story, cinematographer, Javier Aguirresarobe, has shown us the stunning mountains of Southern Turkey and a sunny waterfront all within the first twenty minutes of this film. The scenery is absolutely captivating and the story will leave you with chills.
