A PROMISE

Belgium/France, 2013, 98 minutes, Colour.
Rebecca Hall, Alan Rickman, Richard Madden, Toby Murray, Maggie Steed.
Directed by Patrice Leconte.

This film is based on a story by Stefan Zweig. The setting is in Germany, 1913, the atmosphere before the outbreak of World War I. The action extends throughout the period of the war and the locations extend to Mexico.

There are very good performances by the stars and the direction is by French director, Patrice Leconte, who co-wrote the screenplay.

Alan Rickman portrays a businessman with a young wife, Rebecca Hall. An eager young man presents himself as a candidate for working in the firm, impresses the businessman and is hired. He also becomes a tutor to the son. But he also becomes infatuated with the businessman’s wife.

A promotion offers itself at the outbreak of the war but it involves the young man representing the firm in Mexico, exploration of resources, building up the company. He goes, is in correspondence with the wife, making a promise of fidelity.

This is a bittersweet story as is the case with his Zweig’s novels, probing human nature, love, regrets.

1. From a story by Stefan Zweig? The interest in German history, his status as a writer, reputation? His death?

2. Germany, in 1912, 1913, the outbreak of the war, the background of the war, the post-war Germany, defeat? The town, the factory and its detail, the offices, the streets, Friedrich and his garret, the contrast with the mansion, church, the river and the park, the carnival? Period costumes and decor? The piano and the classical themes? The musical score?

3. The title, Karl and his concern about his wife because of his illness and death? Lotte and Friedrich, their promise when he went to Mexico? The living out of the promise? Its meaning?

4. Friedrich story, the young man, the story of his being an orphan, the institution, working harder to studies, success? Science and metallurgy? Arriving the town, the garret, the maid, love, the sexual encounter, leaving her, her disappointment and antagonism, delivering his laundry? His job, the secretary giving him his office, small? The first encounter with Karl, the discussions, punctuality? Friedrich’s efficiency, knowledge, hard work, Karl’s response, promoting him? Karl and his illness, keeping it a secret, the medication? Friedrich and his meeting Lotte, attracted to her, the meals, the outings? Her playing the piano, his smelling her scent at piano and the maid seeing him? Working with Karl, at home, the office, reporting to car?

5. Lotte, beautiful and elegant? The background her marriage to Karl? Age difference? Otto, reluctant to study, Friedrich training him, success, the bonding, the outings? Lotte and her visiting the garret?

6. Karl, offering Friedrich the move, the job, control? The lavish room, meals? The jigsaw puzzle? Lessons with Otto? His going to church, the mutual attraction? Lotte denying it?

7. The effect on Friedrich, the household, the butler, the servants, meals?

8. The details of work, production, 1913, the anticipation of war?

9. The issue of manganese, from Mexico, the civil wars in Mexico, the German advisers? Applying for loans from the banks? Eventually for Friedrich to go and supervise?

10. Friedrich and the interviews with Karl, not wanting to go, going reluctantly, the mutual, the mutual promise with Lottie? The farewell of the station?

11. Karl, revealing his plan to Lotte before he died, his observing Karl and Lotte and Otto? The window? His health, work, the war, his death and funeral?

12. Friedrich in Mexico, the passionate letters, the intervention of the war, his staying, losing contact and no communications allowed in?

13. Lotte and her perspective, anxiety about the letters, that none were coming? Her living through the war but not caring? The end of the war? The years passing, Otto at University?

14. Friedrich and his return, his stick, the sexual relationships while the two were apart? Lotte fulfilling the promise? Talk, going to the hotel, presence of the parade – and the spirit of defeated Germany, the swastika signs, things to come?

15. The sadness of the promise, memories of the past, regrets? The couple together – and the future?