The Pledge
 
reviewed by Doug
Schneider The
premise behind The Pledge is pretty old school. A tired, cop on the brink of
retirement, who can’t seem to give up his badge gets one last chance to solve a
crime. At his retirement party a call comes in reporting a murder. Jerry Black (Jack
Nicholson) is the first to volunteer to investigate.
The crime is brutal and on the surface there doesn’t
seem to be much police work required. The alleged criminal is caught almost immediately,
and everything points to him (especially the fact that he was at the scene of the crime).
However, within the quick investigation Jerry makes a pledge to the victim’s parents
that he will not stop until he catches the murderer. The case seems open and shut, but
without a hint of proof to indicate otherwise, Jerry knows something’s not right. His
instinct tells him the murderer is still out there and he’s the only one willing to
find him.
Sean Penn does a remarkable job of taking what would likely
be a formulaic suspense thriller in another’s hands, and turns it into a complex,
psychological drama. This film is a lot like Affliction, starring Nick Nolte. Both
are somber and sometimes depressing films that aren’t as much about the stories they
tell as they are about the leading characters. Like Nolte in Affliction,
Nicholson’s Jerry Black is one of his best roles in years. On the one hand, Jerry is
a kind and compassionate individual. On the other, he’s an obsessive, sometimes
crazed individual who just can’t let some things go. It’s that conflicting
personality that ends up being Jerry’s undoing and it’s troublesome at times to
watch.
I actually liked The Pledge more than the rating I
gave it. It takes some bold steps with what is pretty common material. Still, in order to
take those steps Sean Penn sometimes makes a little too much out of too little story and
ends up taking a few too many turns that make it a tad boring. From about the one-half to
three-quarter point I almost dozed off. However, the climax is a zinger with an ending
that will take many by surprise. This is a **** movie that gets a *** rating. |
