Young couple in New England, on their way to get hitched despite the groom-to-be's disapproving mama, are involved in a horrible car accident; the man lapses into a short coma, during which time his mother sends his disfigured girlfriend to the West Coast for extensive plastic surgery on her face--providing she never contact her fiancé again! Will they eventually cross paths, and will he recognize her if they do? Hard to believe anyone with any self-respect will care, especially after an excruciating opening: a lyrical montage of 'coupling' culminating in a love-pact made on a cliff overlooking the sea! After her triumphant performance in 1977's "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" failed to make her a star, Kathleen Quinlan probably saw this cornball venture as an opportunity to break into the big-time. Sad to say, it's an obvious throwback to the 'woman's weepies' of the 1940s, hopelessly out-of-date and out-of-touch. Quinlan spends the first 30 minutes of the picture in an ill-fitting wig, a false nose and funny teeth; still, she isn't changed THAT much after surgery! For the movie to work even on the most basic of levels, the audience is required to completely suspend their disbelief--whilst throwing logic and credibility out the window. Perhaps nimble handling, some self-effacing humor, or even a knowingly camp undermining might have saved the film. Alas, it takes itself far too seriously--and is far too strenuous--to be any fun. The performers (Stephen Collins, Beatrice Straight, and most especially Quinlan) are reduced to dummy-level, while a mind-boggling romantic song (Oscar-nominated!) wails away on the soundtrack. "The Promise" is best described as 'icky'. *1/2 from ****