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After the Promise

Name: After the Promise
Genre: Drama, TV Movie
Released: 1987-10-11
Cast: Mark Harmon, Diana Scarwid, Rosemary Dunsmore, Donnelly Rhodes, Blu Mankuma

1987 | 90 min | Drama, TV Movie

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With soft box office and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved It's a Wonderful Life or Manchester by the Sea, start here.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 30 min.
What might put you off: Rated PG-13: peril. Probably too much for younger kids.

Elmer Jackson, a carpenter in a small Californian town in the 1930s, struggles to bring up his 4 young boys after the death of his wife. He is horrified when the government (citing trumped-up charges of parental neglect) places the boys into various foster homes and institutions, unaware of the abuse that boys would then be subjected to. The conditions imposed by the court and the difficulties caused by the Depression make Elmer's determined and vigorous quest to find his boys extremely difficult. His second wife helps him to regain custody.

How it earned its rating

CriticsSolid
Generally positive reviews
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 19K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by David Greene

Mark HarmonElmer Jackson
Diana ScarwidAnna Jackson
Rosemary DunsmoreFlorence Jackson
Donnelly RhodesDr. Northfield
Blu MankumaJack
Janet WrightWaitress
Mark HildrethRaymond 3
Stephen E. MillerBen
Ryan FrancisWayne 2
Alex DiakunForeman