DbcultAccessing Vault...
6.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Breach of Promise remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you have a thing for pre-code era dramas that feel like they were stitched together with a bit of twine and a lot of hope. If you like your movies polished and high-budget, skip this. If you enjoy watching a character slowly lose their patience with a slow-paced life, you might find something to latch onto here.
The whole thing moves at a speed that I can only describe as aggressively casual. Hattie spends a lot of time looking wistful while leaning on fences. We get it, the farm is a drag.
There is this moment where Millie returns from the city, and she’s dressed like she just stepped off a different planet. The contrast is sharp, maybe even a little funny. It reminds me of the pacing issues in The Quest, where you just want the plot to stop stalling and move into the next act already.
The dialogue is… well, it’s definitely words being said. Sometimes it feels like the actors are waiting for a train that isn't coming. I found myself checking my notes to see if I’d missed a scene, but no, the scene was just that quiet.
You can see the seams of the production everywhere. It reminds me of the rough-around-the-edges feel of Strange Justice. They really weren't trying to hide the budget constraints. 🎬
I caught myself wondering if the barn was even a real barn or just a set piece they dragged out from another film. It has that hollow sound, you know? Like if you kicked it, the whole thing would just tip over.
Don't expect a deep dive into the human condition. It’s just a story about a girl who wants out. Sometimes that is enough. Sometimes you just want to watch someone try to get to the city, even if the journey is a bit clunky.