In the summer of 1992, teenagers "Mina" and "Rese" arrive at what they believe is a vacant mansion. While fooling around, they are surprised to discover the mansion isn't unoccupied. This leads to an unfortunate incident. Twenty-two years later, attractive blonde social worker Ashley Scott (as Mina) meets with a young man. There is nothing to help us understand who the woman is or why we are seeing her interact with the young man. Let's help. First, the young man has absolutely nothing to do with the story. Second, the woman is supposed to be an older version of the young woman who we saw in the opening scenes. Although she doesn't appear anything like her role, Ms. Scott looks like she's worth a 22-year wait...
The beautiful blonde social worker played by Scott has done exceptionally well in life. Check out her swimming pool. She is married to handsome Brookfield, CA sheriff Nick Baillie (as Benjamin "Ben" Gardner). They have a slightly rebellious, mature-looking 16-year-old daughter, Lorynn York (as Hali). Scott's life is disrupted when old boyfriend Louis Mandylor (as Reese Sinclair), from the unfortunate opening crime, is paroled. He wants to pick up where the young couple left off, refusing to accept a "Broken Promise" from Scott. She vowed to wait for him, but moved on with her life...
Now, if you accept the absurdity of the crime, this TV movie had potential. Written by Steven Palmer Peterson, the story gets off to a bad start with the poor opening; specifically, the "murder" doesn't make sense as a murder. You don't have to be "Columbo" to see the so-called killing is an accident. They could have moved the actors into different positions for the crime scene. The piece of wood should identified as magical; it changes position with every shot, in a continuity error...
The strangest continuity slip-up occurs later, when amorous ex-con Mandylor trades in his bright yellow Chevy El Camino for a park scene. You're thinking he sold one of the movie's main attractions, but the car inexplicably returns for all future scenes. While the performers have trouble convincing and the story fabric is frayed, Mandylor does manage well and director Nadeem Soumah makes it look pleasant. The music by David Findlay helps, too.
**** Broken Promise (2/13/2016) Nadeem Soumah ~ Ashley Scott, Louis Mandylor, Nick Baillie, Lorynn York
