Rating: 
Summary: Great film, unorthodox yet entrancing
Review: Its easy to get wrapped up in this film. Its classic film noir, unorthodox, grim, yet completely satisfying. Penn did an excellent job, and nicholson givesa magnificently understated performance. If you appreciate realism, psychological interplay, and plots that stray from the norm, then check this film out. However, if you are intent on watching a movie that wraps up everything into a tidy superficial package, then stay away. Not your typical hollow-wood pulp.
Rating:
Summary: This was the best I've seen in a long time
Review: The Pledge was great. It was very graphic. Sean Penns 3rddirecting job is outstanding since the similiar one "THE CROSSINGGUARD". Jack Nicholson does a perfect job in this role.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Movie from beginning to END
Review: This was a great movie and its not your typcial thriller which is one of the things I loved about it. One reviewer said the movie fell apart at the end, I COULDN'T DISAGREE MORE. The ending is good and unlike many thrillers. Perhaps the viewer was used to typical hollywood endings that they throw at us without any thought. If you really think about the ending, it was a good way to end it and is one that not many would expect. The cinematography was georgeous, the acting first rate, etc.
Rating:
Summary: "Those who have eyes will See..."
Review: In what a local Los Angeles critic affectionately coined as his "Trilogy of Anguish" (in a brilliant review)...Sean Penn has here mastered all of his inherent skills as a visionary artist to not only produce his greatest work, but one of the finest American films in years. This is NOT a thriller about a serial killer. This is an emotionally ravaging story of an honest man's slow descent into madness...while the flow of life around him will continue undisturbed regardless. I can't help but think that Penn has weaned himself on the likes of Fellini, Bergman, and Cassavetes, for each of these greats are unwitting influences on him if nothing else. His own visual sensibility is astounding, and has been since "The Indian Runner". Now I must say that the audience for this kind of picture is small, but the fact that it got made and in this release cut is encouraging as hell. Special bravos to Nicholson, cinematographer Chris Menges, and the entire supporting cast. We love you, Sean. You are a beautiful soul.
Rating: 
Summary: An Actors Forum
Review: I went to go see The Pledge last night after hearing numerous praises for it, and I must say, overall, I was disappointed with the film. Let's first work on pros: (I'm not going to give a synopsis, because if you're reading this, you've already read the reviews adajcent to mine which contain the summary) Jack Nicholson was perfect. His performance was astounding, and I am really sad this was a January release, as Oscar has a tendency to forget the early ones. (The Silence Of The Lambs being an exception--February `91, if my memory serves) Also, the cameos, or small parts, delivered by Vanessa Redgrave and Mickey Rourke were phenomenal. Absolutley riviting. And there are at least two jump out of your seat shocks in the film, ones that had me breathing heavily for a minute after. But now the cons. The movie, at some points was a solid 3 and a half star film (out of 4) I was happy with the characters, I had a feeling everything was going to work out in the end, and I was content. But by the end of the film, things get messed up royally. There is no satisfactory form of closure in this movie, and it leaves you wanting things to be different. This is just my opinion, I could be wrong.Now you see, I have no problem with Nicholson, or Penn, or even the screenwriters, because this problem stems from the source material, the book. Even though I don't know why Penn and crew would be so intent on making a film with this type of ending, I don't blame them. Penn coaxed some incredible performances out of his actors, and he is to be commended. As for whether or not this DVD is going to be on my shelf? That's a big negative.
Rating:
Summary: The Pledge
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Superior Suspence
Review: This is a film that is extremely haunting. The camera work, and the music are very well done. What I love most about renegade film makers like Sean Penn is....you don't know the ending of it right after the movie starts. This movie definitly keeps one on the edge of their seat, and you never know what's going to happen next. This movie sometimes makes you feel as if your right there. Penn is one of my favorite directors. In my opinion "The Pledge" is very disturbing, especially for someone with a weak stomach. So.....if the taboo of child violence frightens or disturbs you strongly, than I wouldn't recommend watching.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and Thoughtful.......
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! I want to give it 10 stars
Review: A study into the depths of madness. Jack Nicholson delivers the performance of a lifetime as an obsessed cop who will do anything to catch the killer. Does this film move at a slower pace? Yes. But it is extremely thought provoking and the ending leaves you stunned and mesmorized. For those that do not like movies that make you think, I'm sure you can watch the mindless, dull and unoriginal spectacle that is the Lord of the Rings instead.
Rating:
Summary: raises your eyebrows at times but that's a good thing
Review: strange and quite amusing
really takes a while to understand the whole movie
I shall watch this whole movie again and again and again
and every time I"ll be amazed
at everything it has to offer
great role Jack has and plays
brilliant director and directing by the way too
see this movie
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