The Promise of Dawn is the autobiography of the author, Romain Gary (pseudonym of Romain Kacew: 1914-1980). It recounts his childhood and adult life.
From his difficult childhood in Poland, through his adolescence under the sun of Nice, to his exploits as an aviator in Africa during the Second World War… Romain Gary led an extraordinary life.
But this relentless pursuit to live a thousand lives, to become a great man and a famous writer, he owes it to Nina, his mother. It’s the mad love of this endearing and eccentric mother that made him one of the major novelists of the 20th century, with a life full of twists, passions, and mysteries. However, this boundless maternal love would also be his lifelong burden…
Adaptation of one of the greatest novels in French literature of the second half of the last century, Eric Barbier’s The Promise of Dawn is a beautiful challenge in paying tribute to Romain Gary.
Though this new cinematic version of The Promise of Dawn never truly rivals the subtle and playful writing of the novel, Eric Barbier still surprises us with a cleverly structured narrative and always well-executed transitions.
The director chose to cast Charlotte Gainsbourg in the role of the extravagant and touching Nina Kacew, mother of the author, who is played by Pierre Niney, who at first glance seems quite far from the baroque spirit that pervades the lines of the novel.
The production offers beautiful shots and successfully captures the initiatory journey of young Romain Kacew, from the cold of Vilnius to the Nice Riviera, through the stifling Bangui and the bombings of London.
Pierre Niney, generous, embodies this truly picaresque hero and delivers beautiful scenes. Opposite him, Charlotte Gainsbourg also shines. The two actors manage to offer a lively adaptation.
If The Promise of Dawn rarely manages to evoke all the richness of Romain Gary’s writing, it is ultimately the last sentence of the novel that we remember, as Eric Barbier brings to life Romain Gary more than his novel: “I have lived.” And what a life.
