Watch Keeping the Promise

Keeping the Promise is a heartwarming and inspiring drama film, released in 1997, that follows the story of a family torn apart by war and their journey to reconnect with each other. The movie takes place during the Vietnam War, when many young American soldiers are fighting and losing their lives in a foreign land. The story revolves around a young boy named Ben (played by Brendan Fletcher), whose father, Steve (played by Keith Carradine), is a soldier serving in Vietnam. Ben and his mother, Susan (played by Annette O'Toole), are devastated when they receive news that Steve has been killed in action.

As the years go by, Ben grows up without his father, feeling the profound loss and loneliness that a child experiences when a parent is gone. But when he becomes a young man and starts to question the events surrounding his father's death, he sets out on a quest to find out the truth and to make sense of his own life.

Ben's journey takes him to Vietnam, where he meets a number of people who knew his father and who are able to provide him with a deeper understanding of the man that he never knew. Along the way, he learns about the horrors of war, the sacrifices that soldiers make, and the bonds of friendship that are forged in battle.

The film interweaves Ben's journey with flashbacks to Steve's time in Vietnam, showing the audience both the harsh realities of combat and the moments of beauty and humanity that can be found in even the bleakest of situations.

Throughout the movie, the theme of "keeping the promise" rings true - the promise that soldiers make to their families, to their country, and to each other to serve with honor and to protect the innocent. But the promise also extends beyond the battlefield, as Ben learns about the importance of keeping promises to oneself and to those we love.

The performances of the main cast are excellent, with Keith Carradine's portrayal of Steve bringing both strength and vulnerability to the character. Annette O'Toole is also terrific as the grieving widow and loving mother, bringing depth and emotion to every scene she is in. Brendan Fletcher is a standout as Ben, giving a nuanced and heartfelt performance as the young man searching for answers.

The movie was directed by Sheldon Larry, who does a fantastic job of capturing the emotions and beauty of the story. The cinematography is stunning, with breathtaking shots of the Vietnamese countryside and a vivid depiction of the chaos and violence of war.

Overall, Keeping the Promise is a moving and powerful film that touches on themes of loss, love, and the human spirit. It is a tribute to the soldiers who served in Vietnam and to their families who made sacrifices of their own. The movie reminds us of the importance of keeping our promises, even when the road is difficult and the journey is long.

Keeping the Promise is a 1997 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.