Customer Reviews

The Pledge

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(32)
1 star:		(39)

 

 

Anyone expecting to find a formulaic cops-chase-killers movie should immediately move on to the latest Hollywood idiot fodder flick. "The Pledge" is intelligent, thought-provoking, well-directed, well-acted, and a feast for the senses.
I know many people who felt let down by this film, possibly because they expected the usual chase and hero's triumph at the end, which does not happen here. I found myself to be curious and somehow astonished by the end, and anxious to see it again.
Jack Nicholson gives one of his best latter-day performances here, and touches on areas which are not normally "Jack". By the end of the film, he is stunned and totally confused; knowing he was somehow right, though strange twists of fate conspire against him. It's almost Hitchcock territory; the man wrongly accused, or the man who knows all the facts, and yet no one believes him.
Sean Penn is no clown director; he's not making mass-market cheap thrill flicks here. He lets the story develop with a total absence of Hollywood cliches and setups. By the end, though most people will feel somehow cheated out of a visceral release, I feel viewers with an open mind who don't expect their movies to be served up like fast-food will be quite pleased. It's one of those movies you can talk about all night long.

There is much to recommend in this complex and deeply layered psychological thriller featuring Jack Nicholson in what seems to have evolved into a continuing exploration into the dark side of human nature in his roles over the last decade. This is a gorgeously photographed and quite penetrating drama which on one level involves Nicholson as a dogged, troubled, and obsessed retired detective convinced the actual killer of his last gruesome juvenile homocide case is still at large, while on another level it is a stunning and all-too graphic portrait of what such single-minded concentration can do to a fragile and vulnerable personality. While it is not a movie I would recommend to the faint of heart, it is an absorbing exploration into this character's heart of darkness and the perils associated with such risky adventures.

The movie is set supposedly in Reno and the surrounding Sierras, and the natural scenery that provides the stage for this drama is simply breath taking, and is worth the viewing experience for this experience alone. I was, however, disappointed to discover by viewing the end credits that the movie was largely shot in western Canada. Wherever it was filmed, the scenery provides a curious backdrop to the ugliness and sordidness of human beings, and how their own experiences and personalities blind them to the beauty in others around them. Each has been branded by the character and limitations of his or her own reservoir of emotional experiences, and each is consequently sent spinning toward a seemingly irrevocable tendency to make snap conclusions about complex realities as a result.

Thus Nicholson is caught in the dilemma of not only his own troubles, but in the easy answers others have in attributin ghis actions and behavior to other motives and problems. Thus Robin Wright Penn, Mickey Rourke, Sam Shepard, Vanessa Redgrave, Harry Dean Stanton and a number of notable others blithely (and sometimes painfully) slip past the rather remarkable qualities in Nicholson's character as well as in Wright Penn's memorable turn as a woman with battered background and a beautiful little girl who lights up the screen and who also just happens to exactly fit Nicholson's bogeyman serial killer's profile.

Thus, his motives for the subsequent involvement are confused at best, yet he seems to genuinely care for the new family he adopts along the way. With this, the stage is set for potential tragedy, and while I found the conclusion emotionally and dramatically unpleasing, it was admittedly indeed in the scope of the characters and circumstance to have it so ended. I recommend this, but also caution against letting one's impressionable children watch this. Like "Silence Of The Lambs" or "Seven", this is hardly juvenile entertainment. Enjoy!

First, let me say that I consider Jack Nicholson to be one of most underrated actors of his generation. His performance in "The Pledge" is nothing short of remarkable, not so much in the way his speaks the dialogue, but in those moments when he has none, and reveals the mind of a deeply tormented man. Other reviews have discussed the plot, so I'll dispense with that, other than to say that this is a movie about redemption and a lost cause. The pledge referred to in the title is one that Nicholson cannot assuredly keep, and thus forfeits his "soul's salvation". The Nicholson character is basically a lonely, desperate man, who hangs his hopes on catching a serial killer, and by a twist of fate, fails in his mission. The supporting cast is excellent, Benecio Del Toro, Robin Wright Penn and even Vanessa Redgrave (one of the best performances in the film, although a brief one-scene cameo). Sean Penn's direction is superb, with the intercutting of nature scenes with the main plot (watch for the symbolic flock of birds throughout the film). This is not a film for those who desire neat, tied-up endings but ones which mirror the real and unresolved tragedies of life. Truly a haunting and poignant story, with excellent character studies all around.

Bravo to Sean Penn for bringing us a psychological thriller that is both intellegent and unpredicatable.If I could only use one word to describe this film I would have to say INTENSE!

Jerry Black(Jack Nicholson) is about to retire from his duties as a homicide detective in Reno, Nevada. Nicholson's portrayal of this cop is so strong, that we can see what he is feeling and thinking by one raise of those famous eyebrows.Already we can see that he is regretting his retirement. Amidst the retirement party his fellow offficers are throwing for him, word comes of a horrible crime. A little local girl has been brutally assaulted and murdered. Jerry cannot help but to become involved with this case.He is the one who must tell the parents the devasting news, at which point he makes a solemn promise to the girl's mother, that he will not rest until this deranged killer is caught!

All evidence points to one suspect. The suspect confesses, and in a bizarre twist takes his own life. Jerry though has instincts that tell him this was not the murderer. He becomes obssessed with finding the true killer,he puts his life on hold and at the risk of alienating all his friends, devotes himself to the task. He also meets and falls for a woman who has a daughter around the age of the murder victim and becomes obssessed with protecting her as well.Jerry falls deeper and deeper into his own dark world, as the tension mounts.

Nicholson has given us many fine performances over the years to be treasured, this one though, to me, was his best character study since "Five Easy Pieces". Penn has done a brillant job behind the camera, and also has chosen a well seasoned cast to add to this fine film. It includes Benecio Del Toro, Aaron Eckhart, Helen Mirren, Mickey Rourke, Sam Shephard, Harry Dean Stanton, Vanessa Redgrave Lois Smith, and Robin Wright Penn.A brilliant screen play by Jerry and Mary Olsen-Kromolowski.
Add to that a haunting score by Hans Zimmer and Klaus Badelt and incredible camera work by Chris Menges, which takes in the snowy scapes in sharp contrast to the murder and you have a story you won't soon forget.

I would reccommend this film to anyone who has a taste for something out of the ordinary. It is not for the sensitive viewer though.

If you've seen the film already and know you like it, you can count on a good transfer by Warner Bros, to the DVD. It is a crisp and clear picture presented widescreen. Colors and sound(Dolby 5.1 surround) are outstanding as well.It may be viewed in French(also in the 5.1)and has subtitles in English and French(Dubbed in Quebec) as well.Other than a theatrical trailer you will not find much in the way of extras. But you might just want to start the movie over and watch it again.
Go for it...Laurie

also recommended:
Just Cause

Love Liza

Jack 3-Pack (A Few Good Men / Easy Rider / As Good as It Gets)

Unsatisfying endings usually make for box-office bombs and I suspect this one bombed, too. Myself, I'd rather feel good at the end of the film, but I really liked this movie in a strange kind of way. It's weird but it's original and it stayed with me for several days afterward. On the second viewing, knowing what to expect, it didn't haunt me but it was worth that second look....and probably a third one in a few years, too.

A great performance by Jack Nicholson; a very nice music score; good cinematography; interesting characters and a different, almost-shocking twist at the end all make this an intriguing movie. If you are looking for a crime film that is different, check this out, but don't blame me if you don't like the ending.

The ending of this movie, of which we see glimpses in the beginning, is an example of the sort of cosmic irony that some world-renown writers apply to human affairs. It is not the sort of thing usually seen in a movie of course, since the mass mind at which most movies are directed will find it dissatisfying, even irritating.

The world-renowned author responsible for the ending of this tale of a retired cop on the trail of a serial killer of blond little girls in red dresses is none other than Swiss novelist and playwright Friedrich Dürrenmatt who wrote the novel from which the screen play was adapted.

The "pledge" in the title is that of just-retiring Reno, Nevada cop Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) who is not convinced that a confession by a mentally-disturbed Native American, played convincingly by Benicio Del Toro, is genuine. Jerry Black gives his word to the mother of the murdered little girl that he will find the killer. However, he is no longer on the force and gets only intermittent help from his colleagues who think he has gone a little daffy. Nicholson, as usual, totally becomes the character he is playing and gives an outstanding performance. He is assisted by Aaron Eckhart who plays the detective who got the "confession," and by Robin Wright Penn who plays Lori, the mother of another little girl.

The direction by Sean Penn is uncluttered, focused and visually astute. For example, note the way the little girl playing in the swings between the highway and the gas station affects our expectation of what is to come. Penn also captures well the high country atmosphere around Reno, Nevada and attendant lifestyles, and for the most part keeps his auteur ambitions secondary to the telling of the story. The script by Jerzy Kromolowski and Mary Olson-Kromolowski is artistically true with crisp, direct dialogue and a fine dramatic structure. The film is also nicely cut so that everything is clear without any belaboring of the obvious. Some of the set scenes as Jerry Black interviews the grandmother of the slain little girl (Vanessa Redgrave in a cameo) and then a psychiatrist (..., who is just perfect in her experienced skepticism) are very well done. Most importantly though, Penn did not give in to those who would demand a commercial ending over an artistic one. And for this he paid the price, since this film was not well-received by the mass audience.

Of course it is impossible to discuss the ending without giving away too much, but I think we can safely say that in real life sometimes chance and fate (if you will) step in and change things dramatically which makes us see our limitations and realize that some of what happens to us is beyond our control. I think that is what happened to Jerry Black and Lori; yet notice, too, that it is integral to Jerry Black's character and all that he has been all his life for him to make the insensitive mistake that he does.

Incidentally the ending can be fixed in a sequel... Well, that is not likely to happen since this was NOT a box office success. Only box office successes get to be sequels--which somehow (bizarrely) reminds me of the line from the old Charlie the Tuna TV commercial: "Only good-tasting tunas get to be Starkist."

For those who are wondering who really did kill the little girls, I will give you a hint: he got his just deserts in a symbolically appropriate manner.

Bottom line: a fine artistic achievement, an excellent diversion, and a treat for those who are fed up with films that play out in a tiresome, predictable manner.

"The Pledge" flew under most everyone's radar when it was released theatrically earlier this year. I was somewhat surprised at the time, given the success of dark films like "Seven" and the pedigree of Nicholson and Sean Penn, but it makes sense in retrospect. Today's multiplex is not friendly to movies like this. "The Pledge" is a flawed study of obsession that isn't for everyone. You may turn it off halfway through, bored with director Penn's deliberate style. Or, like me, you may be compelled to see it again and again.

Not many actors have the presence to pull a role like Jerry Black off, and Nicholson does it with skill to burn. However, while the script turns on some nagging questions, one of them undermines much of the film: we don't understand Jerry well enough to know what fuels his obsession. Was it some previous case that went bad? "The Pledge" doesn't want to give you all the answers, and leaves several things deliberately cryptic, but everything hinges on Jerry's motivation. How did Mrs. Larsen (Patricia Clarkson) coax such a life-or-death pledge out of Jerry? And if he agrees merely to tell a grieving mother what she wants to hear, why does he feel so bound by the pledge, and why does he follow through to such a degree? Another major flaw is the stunted romance between Jerry and Robin Wright Penn's character--it feels obligatory, as if the screenwriters were just using a tried and true playbook, but it's somewhat implausible, doesn't serve the plot, and should've been scrapped.

But with Nicholson, the consummate pro, and some good use of the Nevada setting's stark beauty (the night- and snow-bound murder scene is as good as movies get), "The Pledge" overcomes some script weaknesses and pacing problems to deliver a flawed but compelling portrait of human obsession. A warning: if you like every answer wrapped up in a neat little package at the end, this is NOT the movie for you. "The Pledge" is challenging and flawed, but I'll take a movie like this over any number of "Pearl Harbors" that you want to throw my way.

Based on a novel by Swiss writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt, this film is darker and much more complex than the ad campaign lets on, and is not at all the typical Hollywood thriller. If you go into this film expecting a big budget Hollywood thriller, you will be disappointed.

In terms of using other films as a point of reference, it's most similar to Erik Skjoldbjærg's "Insomnia." In terms of accomplishment, it's easily Penn's best work as a director so far. In addition, it is easily the most difficult role that Nicholson has taken in years. It's definately the most challenging role he has taken since "The Crossing Guard" (the last time he worked with Penn as director), and arguably his most challenging since "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." The story is also fleshed out but an amazing number of brilliant performances in smaller roles (Benecio Del Torro, Mickey Rourke, Helen Mirren, Harry Dean Stanton).

"The Pledge" is an imperfect and at times difficult film, and those expecting a standard-issue Hollywood thriller will be disappointed, but, given this caveat, I recommend it without reservation.

One of 2001's most underappreciated films, The Pledge is a very unforgiving and dark examination of the consequences of promises that cannot be kept. The brutal murder of children is a chilling and horrendous subject matter but Sean Penn directs the film with great restraint and intelligence. We hear about the crimes and occasionally see some grisly photos (reason enough for the film to receive an "R" rating in Australia) but no actual violence is shown. The result is horrific enough to make most of the film especially uncomfortable but gripping viewing.

Rather than being a straightforward mystery thriller (there are moments of intense and gutwrenching suspense, particularly the scene where Nicholson is racing to the church, you'll know when you see it), this is a bleak but rewarding character study of an obsession that goes too far. Sean Penn's last two films were about redemption, this one goes in an opposite direction resulting in an ending that has divided many people. I actually loved it as it stays and stays with you long after the film has finished. It's cinematically unsatisfying and frustratingly ambiguous but it didnt stop bothering me. A more conventional, audience friendly ending would have lent the film a great disservice since the screenplay is so well written and main characters so well established with their moral dilemnas, especially Jack Nicholson's Jerry Black, one of the more complex and compelling characters that he has ever played. Nicholson's performance greatly compliments Penn's direction; its his least showy, least hammy and best acting performance ever. He seems utterly convincing as a retired cop possibly descending into insanity.

The Pledge also benefits greatly from one of Hans Zimmer's (along with Klaus Badelt)most haunting soundtracks, perfectly establishing the mood of beauty and danger in the Nevada settings. Not only is Sean Penn a great actor but after this film, he could well go onto becoming a formidable filmaker. The Pledge is a brave film that deserves a better audience than it has received and proof that not all really good films need to have cut and paste characters, a predictable plot and neat, tidy ending.

Reading the many reviews for this film, I have realized that modern day filmaking has dilluted our minds and left us content with watching boring "popcorn" movies such as Armageddon and The Mummy Returns. Very few movies provoke us the way a film should, as soon as we leave the theater we have totally forgotten what we have just seen. This is not the case with Sean Penn's latest collaboration with Jack Nicholson (The Crossing Guard). The Pledge is, as another reviewer stated, "a breath of fresh air" in the days that popcorn movies rule the box office. Sean Penn has chosen to make a film that doesn't follow normal conventions, all the loose ends are not tied up at the end and this is certainly not your normal serial killer movie. It isn't really even a serial killer movie it all, it is a character study of how far a man will go to keep a pledge to find the killer of a mother's daughter. Jerry Black's pledge takes him to places he doesn't want to go, and his obsession is seen through Nicholson's emotions and actions. By the end of the film Jerry Black isn't the same man he was at the beginning. Those who hated this film were expecting a big, fast, "chase the killer" movie, but what we get is one of Nicholson's best performances, and one of the best films of the year!