IMDb RATING
7.1/10
4.2K
YOUR RATING
A man recounts his life, from his childhood through his experiences in World War II, and the story of his self-sacrificing mother, who raised him alone.A man recounts his life, from his childhood through his experiences in World War II, and the story of his self-sacrificing mother, who raised him alone.A man recounts his life, from his childhood through his experiences in World War II, and the story of his self-sacrificing mother, who raised him alone.
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- Stars
- Awards
- 1 win & 7 nominations total
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Featured reviews
A skilfully made bio-pic with really inpregnating and 'wise' words on the male psychy
Production is round and very professional.
The film is almost entirely told as a flash-back, in which the life of the tormented writer is told in his own words. It is the equally gruesome, as beautifully told "confession" of a crushing motherly love and the destruction of the child's psyche under that pressure. All storylines are more than interesting, the two actors shine, but there is a postponed climax on script level. When it's there - horrific in it's consequences - we are one hour and a half in the movie. And that is too long to keep the attention fully focused.
The horrific consequences of the destructive mother lie at a deeper level of development of the writer and, in my opinion, should have been expressed less poetically and more realistically. But that is a style choice. It's a French movie after all, right?
Nonetheless, with great pleasure and deliberation, I have looked at the ode to a ruined life, where the talent of being a writer turns out to be both a victory and a curse.
The film is almost entirely told as a flash-back, in which the life of the tormented writer is told in his own words. It is the equally gruesome, as beautifully told "confession" of a crushing motherly love and the destruction of the child's psyche under that pressure. All storylines are more than interesting, the two actors shine, but there is a postponed climax on script level. When it's there - horrific in it's consequences - we are one hour and a half in the movie. And that is too long to keep the attention fully focused.
The horrific consequences of the destructive mother lie at a deeper level of development of the writer and, in my opinion, should have been expressed less poetically and more realistically. But that is a style choice. It's a French movie after all, right?
Nonetheless, with great pleasure and deliberation, I have looked at the ode to a ruined life, where the talent of being a writer turns out to be both a victory and a curse.
Very good dramatic comedy about the impressive life of Jewish writer and military pilot Romain Gary (Kacew), his relashionship with his crazy, controlling and abusive mother (he loved her, but I did not see a so bad mother since Brian de Palma's "Carrie") and anti-Semitism during and before World War II. Quite dark humor for narrating a glorious but tragic life.
I enjoyed very much this film based on the novel "La Promesse de l'Aube " of Romain Gary. A beautiful story about the complicated and touching relationship of Romain and his mother Nina who wants that her son becomes the ambassador of France and a great writer.
So we follow Romain and Nina in Vilnius and later Varsaw, the childhood of Romain-the first love with Valentina-, the business of his mother and the antisemitism. The travel to Nice, the beginning of the writing,and then the Second World Wae- the troubles of Romain because of his Jew origin., Romain joining the French Liberation army, the stay in Africa and later his engagement in the French Liberation army.
I enjoyed very much the perfomances of Pierre Niney,Charlotte Gaisbourg, Didier Bourdon, Jean-Pierre Droussin and Catherine Mc Cormack.
So we follow Romain and Nina in Vilnius and later Varsaw, the childhood of Romain-the first love with Valentina-, the business of his mother and the antisemitism. The travel to Nice, the beginning of the writing,and then the Second World Wae- the troubles of Romain because of his Jew origin., Romain joining the French Liberation army, the stay in Africa and later his engagement in the French Liberation army.
I enjoyed very much the perfomances of Pierre Niney,Charlotte Gaisbourg, Didier Bourdon, Jean-Pierre Droussin and Catherine Mc Cormack.
The demands in the name of love seem too harsh, even absurd. Maternal love is great, and so it is. But I don't think the maternal love in this film deserves to be publicized. The greatness here is entirely due to Roman's success. If Roman did not succeed, is there a circle in his maternal love. Roman's success depends on faith and luck. Mother's love is great, and it's hard to have a second Roman.
Absolutely DIVINAL! Majestic interpretations and how history grabs you to the screen is remarkable
Did you know
- TriviaTo prepare the character of Nina, actress Charlotte Gainsbourg admits to have been inspired by her paternal grandmother, also of Russian origin.
- Quotes
Roman Kacew, dit Romain Gary: I made the promise to straighten the world and lay it at his feet
- ConnectionsFeatured in ACS France (2018)
- SoundtracksThe Twins
Composed by Max Richter
- How long is Promise at Dawn?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Promesa al amanecer
- Filming locations
- Bordighera, Imperia, Liguria, Italy(Interior and exterior scenes)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $9,242,157
- Runtime
- 2h 11m(131 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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