This is an unusual film at best. I saw it recently and I'm still not sure how to comment on it. There were things that I liked and things that I didn't like but overall it didn't make a huge impact on me. For the most part, when I sit down to watch a movie the most important thing is entertainment value. The movie could have cheesy lines or law defying stunts but if it entertains me, then it achieves its goal. This movie was like a roller coaster ride that never really delivers on the thrill scale. It hinted it at the beginning but fizzles out and leaves an unsatisfied feeling.
The Pledge is about a retiring detective (Jack Nicholson) that takes on a final case that turns out to possess his life. On the day of his retirement, a body is discovered that hints of a serial killing. Detective Black chooses duty over retirement and gets involved. A suspect is apprehended and all the signs point to him being the killer despite Black's doubts but a quick confession and conviction closes the case and puts an end to Blacks insistence that the killer is still loose. Accepting his retirement, Black lies back to a life of fishing but a nagging thought in the back of his mind brings him to reopen the case and pick his investigation where he left off.
What can you say about Jack Nicholson? He's a fabulous actor and rarely have I seen him give a poor performance. He doesn't disappoint in the Pledge but the story is weak. Sean Penn has never been a conventional storyteller and although he has some smart twists in this storyline I left feeling rather annoyed. The movie began full of suspense. In fact, Penn teased us with a brilliant opening scene and it filled me with anticipation but as the movie progressed I could feel it slow down and by the time the end came I was disappointed although in a way the ending was interesting from a psychological standpoint. From an entertainment point of view, it failed its goal.
There is an enormous cast of actors here and all of them accomplished. They all do an incredible job but one in particular stood out. I usually sit and watch the credits to see all the people involved and was very surprised to see Benicio Del Toro had a role. I remember seeing his name at the opening credits but never really noticed him. It wasn't until the end credits that I realized which character he played and was absolutely stunned! He played the character so well that it never occurred to me that it could have been him. He doesn't have a huge role in this movie but after watching it I have to say that it's worth at least the cost of a matinee movie to see his performance.
Would I recommend someone to see this movie on full fare? No but it is potentially a good matinee movie. Nicholson is great and Del Toro's performance is scene stealing but the movie on an overall level is not worth full fare.
Alan
The Pledge is about a retiring detective (Jack Nicholson) that takes on a final case that turns out to possess his life. On the day of his retirement, a body is discovered that hints of a serial killing. Detective Black chooses duty over retirement and gets involved. A suspect is apprehended and all the signs point to him being the killer despite Black's doubts but a quick confession and conviction closes the case and puts an end to Blacks insistence that the killer is still loose. Accepting his retirement, Black lies back to a life of fishing but a nagging thought in the back of his mind brings him to reopen the case and pick his investigation where he left off.
What can you say about Jack Nicholson? He's a fabulous actor and rarely have I seen him give a poor performance. He doesn't disappoint in the Pledge but the story is weak. Sean Penn has never been a conventional storyteller and although he has some smart twists in this storyline I left feeling rather annoyed. The movie began full of suspense. In fact, Penn teased us with a brilliant opening scene and it filled me with anticipation but as the movie progressed I could feel it slow down and by the time the end came I was disappointed although in a way the ending was interesting from a psychological standpoint. From an entertainment point of view, it failed its goal.
There is an enormous cast of actors here and all of them accomplished. They all do an incredible job but one in particular stood out. I usually sit and watch the credits to see all the people involved and was very surprised to see Benicio Del Toro had a role. I remember seeing his name at the opening credits but never really noticed him. It wasn't until the end credits that I realized which character he played and was absolutely stunned! He played the character so well that it never occurred to me that it could have been him. He doesn't have a huge role in this movie but after watching it I have to say that it's worth at least the cost of a matinee movie to see his performance.
Would I recommend someone to see this movie on full fare? No but it is potentially a good matinee movie. Nicholson is great and Del Toro's performance is scene stealing but the movie on an overall level is not worth full fare.
Alan