IMDb >
Hard Promises (1991)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsHard Promises (1991) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Jule Selbo (written by)
Release Date:
31 January 1992 (USA)
more
Plot:
A man who doesn't like stable work environments has been away for too many years, and finds out his wife has divorced him and is planning to remarry...
more
| add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Love Triangle
|
Divorce
|
Small Town
|
High School
|
Teacher
more
User Comments:
Nicely Done But Not for Everybody
more (7 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Sissy Spacek | ... | Christine Ann Coalter |
 | William Petersen | ... | Joey (as William L. Petersen) |
 | Brian Kerwin | ... | Walt |
 | Mare Winningham | ... | Dawn |
| Jeff Perry | ... | Pinky |
 | Olivia Burnette | ... | Beth |
 | Peter MacNicol | ... | Stuart |
| Ann Wedgeworth | ... | Chris's Mom |
| Amy Wright | ... | Shelley |
 | Lois Smith | ... | Mrs. Bell |
| Dorothy Deavers | ... | Mrs. Bentson |
| Ed Geldart | ... | Mr. Bentson |
| Niles Williamson | ... | Howard |
| Lucy Childs | ... | Edna |
| Margaret Bowman | ... | Walt's Mom |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
95 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (7 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Hard Promises (1991)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Hard Promises sound track | drdanfe |
| Hard Promisies Song | Kennet_24 |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Juno | Hair High | My Girl 2 | Better Off Dead... | I'm Reed Fish |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
"Hard Promises" is a bit like a doing a rural remake of "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" into which you incorporate the basic premise of "Sweet Home Alabama". While not in the same league as the former, it is considerably less offensive than the latter-which it may have inspired.
Billed as a romantic "comedy", the film contains little humor (unless you are still amused by small town stock characters) and nothing profound in the romance department. But like "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" it is about the interplay of love, freedom, and caring among people who have allowed a considerable distance to grow up between each other.
It features a nice performance by Sissy Spacek (who looks unexpectedly sexy and beautiful) and a nice portrayal of a charismatic character by William Peterson. Yet they are both upstaged by Olivia Burnette who plays the film's Francie character (handled so well by Peggy Ann Garner in "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn").
Joey Coalter (Peterson) is an aimless free-spirit who neglects his wife and daughter while drifting around the country. Like Johnny in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" he is full of unfulfilled promises and pipe dreams. He returns on the eve of his wife Christine's (Spacek) wedding; having been alerted by his daughter that Christine has obtained a divorce during his latest absence. About all Joey has going for him with viewers is that he loves both his daughter and his wife. About all he still has going for him with Christine is the charisma of a free- spirit and a continuing physical attraction.
His daughter Beth (Burnette) is his ally in his attempts to salvage their family, as she is not particularly fond of her mother's fiancée (Brian Kerwin). Kerwin's stable but boring character is the polar opposite of Joey and she thinks her mother is overcompensating for Joey's historical unreliability.
"Hard Promises" is mostly dedicated to exploring Joey's inherent and impossible to change aimlessness. This gets a little oppressive if you are looking for a dynamic story but the film is a successful exercise in unity and style. The score and the editing reinforce this theme and provide a surprising number of really beautiful and moving film moments. The climax is unconventional and they go out on a nice scene between father and daughter.
It is an unexpectedly slick production, a triumph of style over substance-but in a good way.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.