A teenage girl is treated for a leg injury, but it's soon discovered she has an aggressive form of cancer, which begins taking its toll--physically and emotionally--on the victim, her family, and the female doctor who forms a bond with the youngster. Kathleen Beller plays the unfortunate girl with a mix of belligerence and brashness that is, quite simply, off-putting; her straight-forward cynicism is certainly convincing, and it may be exactly how many cancer patients react when they discover there's very little time left, but it makes for a strident central character who doesn't do much to involve the audience. However, as the doctor, Marsha Mason just about saves the day with a wonderfully natural, sensitive and grounded performance. Given great dialogue by screenwriter Loring Mandel, Mason is able to revel in telling dramatic scenes that evoke whole lives (such as when she talks about her ex-husband, a movie-junkie who could sit through a double feature and then come home and watch television). Mason never sermonizes or stands on a soap-box, she is a caring professional who becomes a close friend (and may have become a mentor) to this girl. The film is occasionally pedestrian or heavy-handed--particularly when focusing on Beller--and that woeful title didn't help it at the box-office. Yet it is strengthened considerably by Mason, one of the finest actresses of the 1970s. **1/2 from ****
10 Reviews
Mason and Beller Are Outstanding
lavatch17 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Promises in the Dark" was made in 1979. It is a film that is worth viewing and considering in the light of how subjects such as life support and the doctor-patient relationship are viewed after the passing of several decades. It turns out that "Promises in the Dark" holds up very well and raises provocative questions equally as valid today as in 1979.
The film was successful in portraying the relationship of a caring doctor (Marsha Mason as Dr. Alexandra Kendall) and her patient (Kathleen Beller as Buffy Koenig), who is stricken with cancer. The doctor truly listens to the patient and responds with great warmth and compassion.
However, a weakness of the film lies in the subplots that often seemed extraneous and underdeveloped. This was especially true in Dr. Kendall's budding romance with the radiologist. The goal was apparently to reveal Dr. Kendall coming out of her shell following a divorce, due to the inspiration of her patient Buffy. But the romantic subplot of the two doctors fizzled.
The relationship of Buffy to her parents also raised questions that were never resolved in the film. On the surface, Buffy's relationship with her mother and father seemed loving. But it was never clear why the young patient, who is apparently a high school senior, would confide in the doctor and would not open up to her parents. And why does the concerned mother not come to the daughter's aid when she needs oxygen? That scene with the mother sitting on the stairs while the daughter is choking upstairs either needed clarity or deletion from the film.
The film is especially memorable for the luminous presence of Marsha Mason. There was great feeling in her performance, and Beller was also moving in her characterization. It was in the doctor-patient scenes that the film left an indelible impression about human compassion.
The film was successful in portraying the relationship of a caring doctor (Marsha Mason as Dr. Alexandra Kendall) and her patient (Kathleen Beller as Buffy Koenig), who is stricken with cancer. The doctor truly listens to the patient and responds with great warmth and compassion.
However, a weakness of the film lies in the subplots that often seemed extraneous and underdeveloped. This was especially true in Dr. Kendall's budding romance with the radiologist. The goal was apparently to reveal Dr. Kendall coming out of her shell following a divorce, due to the inspiration of her patient Buffy. But the romantic subplot of the two doctors fizzled.
The relationship of Buffy to her parents also raised questions that were never resolved in the film. On the surface, Buffy's relationship with her mother and father seemed loving. But it was never clear why the young patient, who is apparently a high school senior, would confide in the doctor and would not open up to her parents. And why does the concerned mother not come to the daughter's aid when she needs oxygen? That scene with the mother sitting on the stairs while the daughter is choking upstairs either needed clarity or deletion from the film.
The film is especially memorable for the luminous presence of Marsha Mason. There was great feeling in her performance, and Beller was also moving in her characterization. It was in the doctor-patient scenes that the film left an indelible impression about human compassion.
Melodramatic, but Effective
inspectors7125 October 2006
If you saw The Betsy (or read my review), you'll know why I was interested in seeing Promises in the Dark, way back in 1980 on HBO. Yet it wasn't Kathleen Beller's natural attributes that made this modestly soapy melodrama so effective. It was the fact that the story genuinely tries to address the issues of death and dying.
Beller is an active and normal teen who snaps her leg in some sort of trip or collision in PE at high school. The severity of the injury in relation to the activity sparks the interest of the medicos, and it's discovered she has an aggressive cancer.
Therein lies the heart of the story: The destruction of a young girl by cancer and the terrible strain her illness puts on those around her. We want Beller to survive, but I remember the movie telegraphing the end from the beginning; this kid's going to die and the movie is about how she-and we-will handle it.
There are lots of strong character actors in PITD. Marsha Mason leads the cast as Beller's Oncologist, Ned Beatty and Susan Clark are her parents, and Michael Brandon is an MD who is a balance to Mason. Yet, it's Beller's show. I don't remember her milking the pathetic angle in what could have been a "Disease of the Week" TV-movie on the big screen.
Promises in the Dark didn't make much of a stir at the box office, probably because, although well-acted, serious, and heartfelt, it had a kid slowly being smashed to pulp by cancer--a downer no matter what positive things can be said about it. But, it still stands as a legitimate and innovative counter to trash like Love Story (where anyone with two brain cells to rub together was cheering when Ali McGraw assumed room temperature).
If you can find a copy, buy it. And while you're at it, pick up the astonishingly, laughably awful The Betsy to see Beller looking much, much healthier!
Beller is an active and normal teen who snaps her leg in some sort of trip or collision in PE at high school. The severity of the injury in relation to the activity sparks the interest of the medicos, and it's discovered she has an aggressive cancer.
Therein lies the heart of the story: The destruction of a young girl by cancer and the terrible strain her illness puts on those around her. We want Beller to survive, but I remember the movie telegraphing the end from the beginning; this kid's going to die and the movie is about how she-and we-will handle it.
There are lots of strong character actors in PITD. Marsha Mason leads the cast as Beller's Oncologist, Ned Beatty and Susan Clark are her parents, and Michael Brandon is an MD who is a balance to Mason. Yet, it's Beller's show. I don't remember her milking the pathetic angle in what could have been a "Disease of the Week" TV-movie on the big screen.
Promises in the Dark didn't make much of a stir at the box office, probably because, although well-acted, serious, and heartfelt, it had a kid slowly being smashed to pulp by cancer--a downer no matter what positive things can be said about it. But, it still stands as a legitimate and innovative counter to trash like Love Story (where anyone with two brain cells to rub together was cheering when Ali McGraw assumed room temperature).
If you can find a copy, buy it. And while you're at it, pick up the astonishingly, laughably awful The Betsy to see Beller looking much, much healthier!
Buffy > Dr
SnoopyStyle4 October 2021
Divorced Dr. Alexandra Kendall (Marsha Mason) has 17 year old patient Buffy Koenig (Kathleen Beller) who broke a leg for no apparent reason. A cancerous tumor is found in her leg and it has to be amputated. Her parents (Ned Beatty, Susan Clark) are desperate to keep upbeat but Buffy insists on the truth. The cancer is spreading.
The more compelling story is Buffy. The doctor's romantic issues just don't measure up. I get the premise of her finding herself by helping Buffy. In the end, her romance don't feel anywhere near as important. The emotional climax is Buffy's talk with her boyfriend. This movie is better off concentrating on Buffy.
The more compelling story is Buffy. The doctor's romantic issues just don't measure up. I get the premise of her finding herself by helping Buffy. In the end, her romance don't feel anywhere near as important. The emotional climax is Buffy's talk with her boyfriend. This movie is better off concentrating on Buffy.
Basically a TV movie disguised as a feature film
mollytinkers2 October 2021
The bottom line is that this is part melodrama, part character study. Mason and Beller give excellent performances. Clark does, too; but Beatty's character feels like an afterthought, making it hard to judge his performance.
At the time this movie was made, the subject was topical. Cancer was in the throes of coming to the forefront of conversations; and it was movies like this that confronted the viewer with certain realities not addressed before. That being said, there are some elements that don't jive, as the IMDb reviewer who rated it 3 points out.
It drags around the middle mark; nonetheless, the directing is actually pretty good. The music score is tender. The "extra songs" are a nice touch. This was about the time that movies started incorporating Billboard Top 20 selections, which would change the face of movie soundtracks forever.
Good, but not fantastic. A definite for fans of Marsha Mason.
At the time this movie was made, the subject was topical. Cancer was in the throes of coming to the forefront of conversations; and it was movies like this that confronted the viewer with certain realities not addressed before. That being said, there are some elements that don't jive, as the IMDb reviewer who rated it 3 points out.
It drags around the middle mark; nonetheless, the directing is actually pretty good. The music score is tender. The "extra songs" are a nice touch. This was about the time that movies started incorporating Billboard Top 20 selections, which would change the face of movie soundtracks forever.
Good, but not fantastic. A definite for fans of Marsha Mason.
Do no harm!
tommathensik13 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I am particularly bothered by the final scene of the doctor shutting down the life-support of her patient!
Although the movie succeeded in swaying me in the relief of the patient's fears of death I wonder if a doctor would still be allowed to practice medicine-both morally and ethically!
The movie, through the writer, leads the audience to assume the truth is never revealed to anyone-and-she gets away with a 'wrongful death!'
In reality perhaps the good doctor would be stripped of her licence to practice medicine and the parents would never know the truth! I would assume the doctor would be left with this cross to bear and might it affect her future practice of medicine!
All in all a good movie and Ms. Mason fits the part very well !
Although the movie succeeded in swaying me in the relief of the patient's fears of death I wonder if a doctor would still be allowed to practice medicine-both morally and ethically!
The movie, through the writer, leads the audience to assume the truth is never revealed to anyone-and-she gets away with a 'wrongful death!'
In reality perhaps the good doctor would be stripped of her licence to practice medicine and the parents would never know the truth! I would assume the doctor would be left with this cross to bear and might it affect her future practice of medicine!
All in all a good movie and Ms. Mason fits the part very well !
Totally unrealistic
stancym-117 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
First, the dying girl does not tell her parents her wishes about dying, or about being kept in a vegetative state, but she tells her doctor? She has attentive and loving parents throughout, yet she only tells Marsha Mason, her doctor?
Second, the doctor played by Mason appears to have no other patients. She really spends all her time on the dying Kathleen Beller character, making frequent house calls, yet she is on staff at a city hospital?
Third, Would the Marsha Mason character really ruin her career by pulling the plug on the dying patient when there is a nurse right there that is sure to report her? Not to mention that the parents have not given permission for this? This doctor would lose her medical license for overruling the parents' decision to keep their daughter alive on a respirator. Now, if the nurse and parents were not present and she pulled the plug, she could claim the girl died, put the plug back in and the euthanasia could go undetected. But that isn't what happens here. She literally throws away her career and possibly is sent to jail. Does this seem likely?
Fourth, the concept of a doctor who is that emotionally involved, who makes one patient practically her life, and gets upset a lot, is very Hollywood and Marcus Welby-like; it does not ring true. Doctors MUST stay mainly professional or they cannot do their job and they are too busy to spend all their time on one patient. Plus, why would the parents not have this role? This film makes the doctor into a parent.
All this said, Marsha Mason is a superb actress. I want to read why she stopped working on screen so long ago, she could have made the transition to character parts if the lead roles were no longer offered. Perhaps she chose to do something else.
Second, the doctor played by Mason appears to have no other patients. She really spends all her time on the dying Kathleen Beller character, making frequent house calls, yet she is on staff at a city hospital?
Third, Would the Marsha Mason character really ruin her career by pulling the plug on the dying patient when there is a nurse right there that is sure to report her? Not to mention that the parents have not given permission for this? This doctor would lose her medical license for overruling the parents' decision to keep their daughter alive on a respirator. Now, if the nurse and parents were not present and she pulled the plug, she could claim the girl died, put the plug back in and the euthanasia could go undetected. But that isn't what happens here. She literally throws away her career and possibly is sent to jail. Does this seem likely?
Fourth, the concept of a doctor who is that emotionally involved, who makes one patient practically her life, and gets upset a lot, is very Hollywood and Marcus Welby-like; it does not ring true. Doctors MUST stay mainly professional or they cannot do their job and they are too busy to spend all their time on one patient. Plus, why would the parents not have this role? This film makes the doctor into a parent.
All this said, Marsha Mason is a superb actress. I want to read why she stopped working on screen so long ago, she could have made the transition to character parts if the lead roles were no longer offered. Perhaps she chose to do something else.
Ridiculous
aafleming-1956913 June 2022
Saw this on TMC, of all places, while I was recovering from an illness. Watched in amazement as every TV movie of the week cliche was clumsily checked off. OF COURSE the patient is a "brave," independent," "courageous" young girl who "takes control" of her fate and "challenges" the system." And OF COURSE the doctor is all sad and withdrawn from her divorce, and the girl "awakens" her to life's value, and the doctor "challenges the system" . . . How many damn times have we seen this? I remember this kind of crap from the 70s and it irritates me to realize how much of my time I probably wasted watching crap like this. And by the way how many of these cheesy movies did Marsha Mason make? Seems like she was always in these melodramas that usually involved some teenage issues. Clearly in the 70s we were a far less critical audience and would embrace this garbage which would be laughed at today.
Good 80's movie
marblehead-115 January 2002
A fairly depressing movie with Kathleen Beller playing a dying preppy/suburban teenager. Great music(Cars, Kansas, James Taylor) and Marsha Mason is a hottie in this flick. The acting and the storyline are excellent. See this movie if you want to reflect on the early 1980's and look at Marsha but remember it's basically about someone dying, its depressing.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
