Promised

What a wasted opportunity. The Italian-Australian story especially during the 1950-60's is incredibly fascinating but this is not it. There are so many technical issues in the production. The script is all over the place. Direction directionless. The editing is a slog... the casting... what a mess. I could barely keep on track with the plot which is a lot of credit to even call it a plot.

Tina Arena does a lot of heavy lifting. Such a waste and she is a great advocate for the Italian-Australian story; herself being a one of the most iconic Italian Australians who pioneered the rise of Italian pride.

Mercurio can barely get his mouth around the most basic Italian phrases.

The rest are forgetable.

Hopefully someone can tell the Italian-Australian story with the same success as shows like 'My Brilliant Best Friend'.

Well paced story, well acted, truly romantic. I want to see it again.

The beginning was somewhat confusing - I THINK it started with two Italian families and their "promised" marriage tradition involving one's son and the other's daughter, but was played out in the country of Australia. That said? I thought the lead actors "father" actors were very good and kept to their "Italian" heritage. A little disappointed in the mothers/wives however, not quite as well played as the fathers. The son was a fine actor though showing the patience and tolerance of a "saint" and perhaps? Not as much backbone as I would have assumed he had. Angela, the daughter, performed gracefully BUT with a greater "voice" and that made the prospective union far more interesting - that she had a voice yet went along with Daddy's wishes - even over the threats/abuse/investigation made regarding her former boyfriend. The plot moved along nicely and I guess the best you could say about this archaic tradition of other cultures (including Italian) was that it played out against all odds. Charming. Entertaining. Interesting leads.

I would have prefered if the couple were more the focus of the film...but I liked the low key tone and the two leads are refreshing... not every culture will understand the concept of ( promised ) but I come from a culture that has arranged marriages ...my fav thing was the first time female lead...what a lovely lady..she looks like a young tina arena.....I will wait to see her in more projects

This was a wonderful film The only reason why I had to give it an 8 out of 10 is because the characters accents were so deep and thick that I had to struggle to understand what they were saying and they were talking so fast and so low at times so I had to rewind several several times and rewatch parts but other than that it's a beautifully written and beautifully executed movie directed fantastically.