Hard Promises

PG

1991

1h 35m

Drama

List

40%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

59%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Despite the fact that footloose Joey Coalter (William Petersen) is married to Christine (Sissy Spacek), he spends little time with her or their child, Beth (Olivia Burnette). Eventually, Joey leaves home and takes work as a cowboy, only to learn that his ex-wife is about to marry wealthy businessman Walt (Brian Kerwin). Suddenly jealous, Joey hightails it home and does his best to stop the wedding. He is aided in his quest by Beth, who really just wants her father back.

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Audience Member

I saw this movie a few years ago on TV, and loved it. I often tell people about "That movie with sissy Spacek and the CSI guy..." the name often escapes me. The memory of how much I liked this film stays very much in my mind. Now that I have the name of it, I think I'll buy it!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It was sad. It reminded me of my dad. Gil Grissom reminds me of my dad. He was so smart and knew all the answers on Jeopardy. He did the crosswords in the newspaper and tried to say words I couldn't get the meaning of. He died and this movie kinda reminded how much I loved him. He was my daddy and every young girl thinks their daddy is their knight in shining armor. Sadly my dad was no William Petersen or Gil Grissom. He passed away, but I rememmber the good times... how few they were.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I thought it was going to be a bit of a cheesy movie since the initial start of the actors was a bit sour but then the actors did step it up and were forming who their characters were as the movie went on. i would have to say the story plot really made some good points on relationships surprisingly. people don't change they get better at what they do. it was interesting how "love" was used as an excuse by the guy who comes back after all those years (12) and thinks that its the magic word to keep his family together even though his wife had divorced him and was getting married to another guy. i like how people throw that word around like its glue and everything is supposed to be the same just because of it. it takes more then "love" to keep a marriage and any "loving" relationship in tact. the guy loves to travel and isn't a settle down kind of guy that the woman and his kid need. he makes a bunch of promises that he cant keep and it isn't fair to the women to try and drag her into a lifestyle that is his own and not a fit for him and his child. i thought at first the lady was going to succumb to his charm but I'm glad she didn't because time doesn't stand still and everyone has different needs and wants and shouldn't expect anyone to conform to their way of life unless it truly will make them happy and they would be okay with it. there is nothing wrong with being a wanderer instead of being a settled down family man cause not everyone is the same. i would have to say to many people rely on other people to be pining away for them while they are out having an adventure the reality is nobody is going to sit and wait for them to come home. time doesn't stand still. anyways i thought the film was pretty decent and i thought it had some good points to be made. give it a watch if its playing on the tele.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I think, if your a fan of Billy Petersen, as am I....that you'll love this film. it gets away from billy being a serious layed back scientist. he is hilarious in this film. Great acting!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is so funny! I love the scene where Christine gets drunk.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not your classic chick flick by any means; the ending will surprise you.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

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Martin Davidson

Director

Sissy Spacek

Christine Ann Coalter

William Petersen

Joey

Brian Kerwin

Walt

Mare Winningham

Dawn

Jeff Perry

Pinky

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Hard Promises was made in the spirit of a brainless sitcom, but if you stand back from the movie and really look at it, you're struck by how weird all of the characters are.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Katherine Monk

Vancouver Sun

The movie is not incredibly bad, nor is it incredibly good. In fact, it is nothing much at all.

Rated: 1/4

Aug 16, 2021

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a slight, instantly forgettable romantic comedy that doesn't possess any real depth...

Rated: 2/4

Dec 7, 2005

Full Review

Scott Weinberg

DVDTalk.com

All but dripping with downhome charm, small-town coziness, and lovable kook overload.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 20, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Aug 21, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Despite the fact that footloose Joey Coalter (William Petersen) is married to Christine (Sissy Spacek), he spends little time with her or their child, Beth (Olivia Burnette). Eventually, Joey leaves home and takes work as a cowboy, only to learn that his ex-wife is about to marry wealthy businessman Walt (Brian Kerwin). Suddenly jealous, Joey hightails it home and does his best to stop the wedding. He is aided in his quest by Beth, who really just wants her father back.

Director: Martin Davidson
Producer: Rick Bieber, Peter McAlevey
Screenwriter: Jule Selbo
Production Co: High Horse Films, Vision International, Stone Group Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $277.7K
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Surround

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