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Summary: The Truth of Irresolvability
Review: "I want me back." The words of a minor character at the opening of the film. Anyone who does not understand what that means will not appreciate this film -- the point the previous reviewer who works as a grief counselor made. From the time of Sophocles tragedians have worked with a form of tragedy that deals with life after it is ruined, exploring the possibilities for limited redemption. That is what Penn was working for with this film. Yes, it's true that a few lines come off a little "deeper" than the characters, but don't we all do that -- the reviewer who damns the piece for that reason (below) does the same thing in his eight line review. You will seldom find a Hollywood film that does what this film does with this thing, so I think you have to be a little charitable. You can be picky about an Arnold film because they are (though fun) all the same. This one is unique project and carries some of the weaknesses of originality. That makes it no less a work of genius and genuine compassion. I have watched it a dozen times, and still find reason to sing its praises and feel the benefit of its spiritual charity. I have no patrernalistic comments for Penn -- I don;t find any sign in me that I have the qualities that would make me his judge. But I would say this: don't ever get distracted by criticism from the vision that you have because the direction of cinema over the next century will be determined by visionaries like you.
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Summary: You need a good brain to appreciate this incredible movie
Review: ... It is NOT a revenge movie. It's a movie about self pity and realization. Also, it's about people's narrow-mindedness in not realizing the suffering of others. This is a fantastic movie for those of you that can appreciate a deep intricate movie full of emotion. It's not fast paced but delves deep into the characters and human nature. The ending was fantastic and extremely sad. Give this movie a try if you're into movies that require more of an intellect and feeling for human nature.
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Summary: The heart is in the right place.....
Review: ....but the movie is overlong and clobbers you over the head with symbolism and metaphor. Also, not for one minute can you see Jack Nicholson OUTSIDE of Jack Nicholson and INSIDE the character he's playing, a common failing in recent Nicholson roles but more than usually apparent here. It's too bad, because his co-stars, especially David Morse, all give excellent performances. But the whole thing is turgid and FEELS contrived, though I'll grant that Sean Penn gave the story and the movie his best shot.
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Summary: THIS STORY IS A MASTERPIECE WITH Jack NICHOLSON...
Review: ...And David MORSE ! ... This tall man has killed his child, his son, and ever since this time he has ONE idea ! ONE project in his mind: " KILL HIM WHEN HE WILL GO OUT THE PRISON " He has lost anything, his wife, his comfort, his welfare when this man who was drunken at the time of facts and his revenge is puting near day after day this is an obsession for him, he go to advertise his almost former wife who he is outdoors but after a follow-up he doubt of himself, because his enemy goes around the tomb of his child while him himself has never made that this is a sort of redemption for these two men and mostly a forgiveness for the killer ! Jack NICHOLSON and David MORSE are perfects in this DVD MOVIE FILM ! ********** A GOOD TEAM
Rating: 
Summary: Very boring
Review: All the other reviewers are talking about how good the acting and directing is but none of them really say it is an enjoyable movie. The plot is just plain bad. At one point the two main characters are just sitting down pointing guns at each other. Then one gets up and runs away and the other chases him. Why didn't they just shoot? Then when Jack Nickolson does shoot, the guy gets hit in the neck, stands up and walks away like nothing happened. I might want someone to watch this just to see how horrible a movie can be. Half of it takes place in a strip club that has nothing to do with the plot. And there are many other unimportant scenes that just don't fit in and don't make sense. I guess they needed lots of filler. Do yourself a favor and avoid this movie.
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Summary: Searching for soundtrack
Review: Does anybody out there know of a soundtrack of the film? The film had songs by Jewel, Springsteen etc. Please post here.
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Summary: I like Penns style...
Review: Having seen The Pledge first, I think I may like the Crossing Guard even more. I never even heard of this movie till I was rummaging through a rental store. Being that I see a "Jack" movie regardless, I took this one for a spin. I found it gripping, unusual, and even moving. I like how Penn uses "everyday" people to really create a sense of "reality". Everyone in this movie isn't pretty and so forth. So far Wolf is the only Jack movie I haven't liked and with a career spanning this many YEARS that's not a bad feat. Also, "Morse" turns in an incredible performance. The Crossing Guard once again proves, a lack of box office success means very little, this is a VERY good movie.
Rating:
Summary: I like Penns style...
Review: Having seen The Pledge first, I think I may like the Crossing Guard even more. I never even heard of this movie till I was rummaging through a rental store. Being that I see a "Jack" movie regardless, I took this one for a spin. I found it gripping, unusual, and even moving. I like how Penn uses "everyday" people to really create a sense of "reality". Everyone in this movie isn't pretty and so forth. So far Wolf is the only Jack movie I haven't liked and with a career spanning this many YEARS that's not a bad feat. Also, "Morse" turns in an incredible performance. The Crossing Guard once again proves, a lack of box office success means very little, this is a VERY good movie.
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Summary: Tour de Force!
Review: I puzzle at those reviewers criticizing this film, which to my mind is a tour de force. Of course, I do volunteer work with dying folks and help train aspiring grief counselors to deal with the traumas that life all too often brings us. I can only assume that those who so quickly dismiss this powerful meditation on grief and remorse have yet to experience these real life emotions. Something by Schwarzenegger may be more to their taste, or one of the ubiquitous comic book recreations we encounter most summers with cardboard characters and pseudo emotions. Sean Penn is plumbing much deeper regions of the human psyche, and doing so with actors of rare talent, fully capable of sharing with us their heart rending vulnerabilities. Few actors have the courage to go to the places these actors visit as they face suffering almost too great to bear. I'm reminded of the more recent Mystic River that explores equally traumatizing events. It was heartening to watch the joy with which Sean Penn's Academy award for his performance in that Clint Eastwood film was greeted by his fellow professionals who have long acknowledged this young man's genius both in front of and behind the camera. The Crossing Guard deserves a wider audience and will surely reward the discerning viewer with a deeply felt movie experience. Check it out for yourself!
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Summary: Just life
Review: I say Just life to this movie on my review title, well because that is what it is. I have not any Idea why some reviewers were so harsh on S. Penn. Perhaps a little hostility going on with them.
This was more then just a Drama, it showed that the very wrong choices people make, that there is always a consequence for those actions. So I find it sad that these viewers have so much time on their hands to attack S. Penn, instead of comprehending his theory in this LIFE TYPE movie. S. Penn may have just been stating compassion from both points of view. How about that reviewers Compassion! !
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