Watch The Promise

The Promise is a 2005 Chinese film. It is a fantasy epic directed by Chen Kaige and starring Cecilia Cheung, Jang Dong-Gun, and Hiroyuki Sanada. The film follows a young girl named Qingcheng, who is forced to make a promise to a goddess in order to save the life of the man she loves. However, the promise comes at a great cost. Qingcheng is cursed to live a life of loneliness and isolation, and she can never be with the man she loves.

Years later, Qingcheng is found by a powerful king named Guangming. The king is struck by Qingcheng's beauty and takes her as his mistress, despite the objections of his adviser, Wuhuan. Wuhuan believes that Qingcheng is a curse and that she will eventually bring ruin to the kingdom.

Meanwhile, a warrior named Kunlun is on a quest to find Qingcheng. He is searching for the goddess who cursed her, hoping to break the curse and free her from her loneliness. Along the way, he meets a band of rebels who are fighting against the corrupt king.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Qingcheng is not the only one with a curse. Kunlun is also cursed, and his past is tied to both Qingcheng and the king. The three of them are locked in a tragic love triangle, with each of them bound by their own promises and curses.

The Promise is a visually stunning film, with elaborate sets and costumes that create a vivid and mythical world. The special effects are impressive, with fantastical creatures and magical landscapes adding to the otherworldly feel of the story.

The film's themes of love, fate, and sacrifice are explored through the characters' struggles with their own promises and curses. The script is poetic and philosophical, with characters pondering the nature of destiny and the consequences of their actions. Despite its fantastical elements, The Promise has a deeply emotional core that resonates with audiences.

Cecilia Cheung gives a standout performance as Qingcheng, imbuing her with a quiet dignity and resilience. Jang Dong-Gun is also excellent as the conflicted king, torn between his love for Qingcheng and his duty to his people. Hiroyuki Sanada brings a quiet intensity to the role of Kunlun, conveying his character's inner turmoil with subtlety and nuance.

Overall, The Promise is a beautiful and haunting film that explores universal themes of love, sacrifice, and destiny. It is a must-see for fans of epic fantasy and romance.

The Promise is a 2005 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6 and a MetaScore of 53.