The Promise (2016)

Directed by: Terry George | 133 minutes | drama, history | Actors: Oscar Isaac, Charlotte Le Bon, Christian Bale, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Marwan Kenzari, Angela Sarafyan, Tom Hollander, Numan Acar, Igal Naor, Milene Mayer, Tamer Hassan, Alicia Borrachero, Abel Folk, Jean Reno, James Cromwell, Kevork Malikyan, Lucia Zorrilla, Roman Mitichyan, Carlos Miranda

Love in wartime. That’s what ‘The Promise’, directed by Terry George (‘Hotel Rwanda’), is all about. And what warfare! The Armenian Genocide packaged by the Turks as a Hollywood epic. It is not without reason that Armenian billionaire Kirk Kerkorian invested 100 million in equity in the film. He wanted the print made at all costs. To remind the world of the horrors that happened then, in 1915.

And so not even the slightest actors were allowed to perform, Oscar Isaac (as Armenian medical student Michael Boghosian), Christian Bale (as American journalist Chris Meyers) and in one of the supporting roles Jean Reno (as French admiral at sea). In the female lead of governess/illustrator Ana Khesarian we see Charlotte Le Bon (‘The One Hundred-Foot Journey’ and ‘The Walk’). And, very nice, ‘our’ very own Marwan Kenzari in the role of Michael’s friend, Emre Ogan.

Drama! Romance! Oh yes, and a terrible war in the background, a war that cost 1.5 million Armenians their lives. This fact is skilfully presented by director George, but the real interpretation and depth is missing.

Pharmacist Michael Boghosian goes to study medicine in the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Constantinople. There, at his uncle’s house, he runs into the attractive governess Ana, of French-Armenian descent. They fall in love, but -unfortunately- she already has a boyfriend, the critical American journalist Chris. When the war breaks out, Michael is also arrested. He manages to escape and tries to save his family from the Turks. With the help of Ana and Chris, who do everything they can to bring Armenian orphans to safe harbor.

In between, we meet the barbaric Turkish general Faruk Pasha (Tamer Hassan) and one of his subordinates, Lieutenant Emre Ogan (Kanzari), who – against all warnings – continues to help his friends wherever he can. Michael, Chris and Ana are eventually rescued by the French navy along with 5000 other Armenian refugees. But at a high price!

When watching ‘The Promise’ you get a dualistic feeling. It’s all beautifully designed, but it still feels a bit weird: a love triangle at the time of a massacre. There are moments that touch you, even a few whine moments. The acting performances are adequate across the board, but it is all a bit too flat. ‘The Promise’ promises a lot, but ultimately leaves the viewer with a hungover feeling. Still: an 8+ for the daring shown, because such a controversial subject? Not everyone in Hollywoodland will want to burn themselves with that…