Subzero7

08 May 2013

One of the worst movies ever (possible spoiler)

There is only one good thing about this movie and that is the acting.Otherthan that (and it's not enough) this is one of the worst movies ever. Itstarted out interesting but after about 20 minutes it just got plainboring.Naturally they show the best scenes in the trailers. We went in withgreatexpectations and came out SOOOOOO disappointed! What a let down. Theworstpart was the end. It was so bad that it made the good acting and theinteresting first 20 minutes or so and ruined it completely. If they hadjust made the ending work better instead of leaving Jack's character abasicvegetable then it would have been worth it but the screwed it up royally.We weren't the only ones who felt this way. As we were sitting through thecredits waiting for the bulk of the crowd to thin, we heard person afterperson as they walked by to leave talking about how horrible the movie wasand how crapy the end was. Based on the numbers on this site apparent lotsof people liked this movie. I'll never know why but hey, to each his/herown. Personally I haven't felt so much like I just wasted a whole eveningin a long time. I was actually mad at myself for not going to seesomething...anything else. Oh well. I guess that after seeing excellentfilm after excellent film there was bound to be a piece of crap that wouldshow up eventually. If you want to see a thriller, go seeAntitrust.

Gordon-11

08 May 2013

Bore

This film is really boring. The story itself is good, but the director ismore concerned with the cinematography than to make the story interesting.There are so many redundant scenes, and even the useful scenes are just waytoo long. I feel that the film just drags on and on. I am sure the filmcould be cut by half an hour and still comprehendable. This film is a greatdisappointment.

19 April 2013

Avoid this movie

I thought when I was going to the theater to see this,I said hey it has Jack Nicholson in it,how bad could it be?Well,it was really bad,and really long and boring.Jack Nicholson is usually a pretty good actor,but not this time.

Eugene Shabalin

18 April 2013

The Pledge Jack Nicholson

This movie is an great masterpiece. You can see in this picture growingparanoia of the personage. Please, imagine that the killer of this girlwas actually (Del Toro) the person who shot him self in the beginningof the movie, or imagine that the killer did died the same day hekilled the girl. In an car accident, suicide, age... (forget the carcrash at the end, because they put in the film to somehow justify hissick behavior, or place this car accident at the day of killing) Wasthe paranoia of the Jerry Black really worth it? Was it even real tocount on catching the killer? No, first of all it wasn't his case atall and the killer did not existed (not for him) and ex-cop lost hismind after he saw (Del Toro) killing him self. He shouldn't have takenthe call at all, it wasn't a great move for his new beginning of happyending of his last days. Jerry Black was an old, lonely, pathetic man.His Job is only social contact he ever had, and he was very afraid tolose his last "day therapy" and it wasn't easy for him to handover thenew chances to a new generation. This picture shows that you must learnto leave behind, to start over again or try to get over the past. Touse ability of choice to break this "magic circle" of everyday routine.For J. Black this "hide and seek" game wasn't really about the victimor the killer, he was straggling with him self. He was rushing fullspeed leaving his sanity behind, without even looking in the rear-viewmirror. He could beautifully walk out of his office as an legendarydetective with respect, an gas station and young female on his side,but no he choose to hunt ghosts. But please find out for your self andmake your own judgment

zBirdman

16 April 2013

Truly thought-provoking POTENTIAL SPOILERS WITHIN

When I first watched this film, I was very unsatisfied with the ending. Itdidn't seem to answer anything, nobody seemed the better, and it wastremendously sad. However, in retrospect, I'm finding myself going over theelements of the movie more and more (which, in my mind usually marks thebetter films) and I think the ending, while truly sad is the ultimateconclusion to actual title of the film. Nicholson makes a promise to findthe killer and keep it from happening again to another child... a verystrong promise, which he takes so seriously that he literally devotes theremainder of his life to fulfilling it, even though I don't think even he istruly aware that he is even doing it. He fulfills his pledge; he knows that the person accused of the crimes wasnot the guilty party, while none of the other cops care... to them, it's aclosed case, time to move on. But Nicholson knows that the real villain isstill out there and still a threat and attempts to track him down in a mostremarkable way. Like I say, he fulfills his pledge to the mother. In the end, the truekiller can never perform an evil deed, but Nicholson is totally unaware ofit. To make matters worse, his retirement was turning into a much betterlifestyle than his entire life as a cop in Reno, and yet his continuedattempt to find the killer destroys even this. His former co-workers areleft thinking that he has literally gone off the deep end, and he has lostany respect that they had for him. His 'new family' turns their back on him(and rightfully so, I believe) once the mother finds out what was actuallygoing on. In his death, the true killer ends up utterly destroyingNicholson's very existence.My wife and I debated over what would have happened next at the end of thefilm. I can't imagine anything other than Nicholson's completeself-destruction, either by deliberate action (suicide) or eventuallythrough alcohol, but my wife was convinced that he would have had to havefound out about the fatal accident since he did know who the killer's motherwas and would have known that the guy was dead. In either case, I give themost credit to Sean Penn for ending the film in the fashion in which hedoes. You simply don't know what Jack's going to do, and that truly puts youin Nicholson's mind at that very moment. Any film that can get right intoyour head like that has really achieved something special. Once again, Jack(very similar to in 'The Shining') is absolutely incredible as a man slowlylosing his mind, but a lesser director would have made the ending much moreobvious, more blatant, more satisfying to a lesser audience. Kudos to Mr.Penn for a thought-provoking, intelligent yet truly disturbing piece ofwork.

15 April 2013

What is it with you non-understanders?

Before I decided to buy this movie, I read reviews, trying to find out if it really was worth a look. I like the movie genre, and Jack of course, so this seemed like it could be a hit. So many said they did not uderstand the "artsy" ending, and did not like how the movie ended. Sorry, don't mean to be so harsh. But what fantasy world of eternal Pokémons do these people live in? I don't want go give away the ending, but let's just say. Why can't people face that there are other ways of ending a movie than with a smile and a happy dance. It's life you know. Life doesn't come with a shoe shine and doesn't always go perfect. I was very surprised that anyone could say "I did not understand the ending". It's all so very straight forward, not hard at all. I could understand it if the person was like 5 years old or something, but that isn't the case.This is a beautiful movie, about life in all it's glory. Yes, it's a bit long, does not contain Bruce Willis flying out a window screaming his loungs out, but what it does contain is a great story, great characters and a chance for the viewer to think, and to face life's more darker side. A masterpiece really. Watcht it! :-)

12 April 2013

Very Intelligent Film

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!

Darryl-7

12 April 2013

could have been worthwhile...

After reading several comments here, I found a lot of IMDB members claimedthat The Pledge was realistic, and had an ending that people who appreciate"reality based" films would enjoy. I would agree with that, if only thecharacters had an authentic feel to them. Most of the actors in this filmfelt like they were going through the motions (Nicholson included). If theviewer can't believe what is on the screen (not in all cases, but in thismovie belief is necessary) most of us will lose an interest quickly, and Idid. From the moment that Nicholson's cop character makes a pledge to thegrieving mother of a slain daughter (who asks Jack to swear on his soul thathe'll find the child's killer), we are supposed to believe he is sincere andthat he'll do whatever it takes to bring justice to the victim's family.From early on, I could care less if the family finds closure. The mothercame after Jack with a conviction not much unlike Piper Laurie in Carrie.Sounds ridiculous? Unbelievable? It is... It's been a long time that I canremember Jack Nicholson giving such a poor performance. There's a reasonthis film dropped out of sight so quickly.

Araminta Vulcan

09 April 2013

Awful

While I realize that this film was not a whodunnit, as several other peoplehave commented, I would have liked to see something at the end that gavethestoryline a little closure. Had I realized that this was an artsy film andnot a murder drama or cop story which revealed the names of the culprits atthe end, I surely would not have bothered renting it. There was way toomuch fluff in the film. I fast-forwarded through several scenes. Myhusband fell asleep during it. The plot could have been shown in half thetime, especially since it had no real ending. Unless you're into this kindof film, that which leaves the viewer to interpret it however he may, grabacheap police story instead.

09 April 2013

What A Waste of Time and Talent!

I'm glad I didn't pay to see this movie at the theatre but still regret the time I spent watching it. Jack Nicholson is, as always, very good and he's the only reason I stuck with it to the horrendous end. What a pompous piece of work this is ... thanks to Director Penn. I should have watched "As Good As It Gets" ...again... actually watching ANY other Jack Nicholson movie again would have been a more entertaining way to spend this rainy afternoon.

dae5

06 April 2013

A pandering thriller that aims squarely at the 55+ audience.

This film received some great reviews, but I just don't get it. Sure, it'sgot Nicholson going for it, and there's a great scene with Benicio del Toro. To be fair, I had an inkling going into the theater that its main audiencewould probably comprise senior citizens- Jack's getting pretty old, thoughhis acting hasn't deteriorated- but 45 minutes into the movie I was fed upwith it.The simple premise- retiring detective makes an oath that he will find avicious child murderer- is grounds for a subtle thriller. Instead, the filmplays up the atrocity of the crime poorly, as if it's expecting us to say,"Wow! A child-molesting murderer! This movie has got guts delving intosuch an unimaginably repulsive taboo! Whoever the killer is, that man mustbe PURE EVIL!" As Jack tracks down some clues, the aged detective alsoshacks up with a foxy thirty- or fortysomething single mom and her adorablekid. Without giving anything away, the revelation of the killer's identityisn't much of a surprise, since so few supporting characters develop apersonality, and although we're supposed to be even further shocked anddisgusted, I was simply disgusted by the film's panderingclumsiness.Leave this on the shelf at the nursing home- it'll scare the pants off someunsuspecting septuagenarian. Now go rent Lang's "M", a vastly superior filmthat achieved exponentially more than this blunder in 1931.

06 April 2013

Muddled, worthy effort, falls under its own gravitas.

If I had to guess, the screenplay for the Pledge was a partially realized early draft. I has the muddle characterized by speed-writing, and a lack of careful, thoughtful introspection and analysis. One reviewer said the film is not for "dolts." Aside from the being irrelevant and a rather ham-handed attack at the film's detractors, that is beside the point. Clearly, the Pledge has some high concepts and ambitions, but the story it tells fails in providing coherent characters, as well a muddled story line.What, then, is the ultimate message? Is it that life's circumstances can go irrationally, tragically wrong? That a man's "pledge" (an ill-advised one at that), despite being borne of the noblest motives (it appears), can result in a life spiralling out of control and leading to alcoholic psychosis? Frankly, we never learn enough about any of the characters to understand their motives, and while some of the acting performances resonate with potential (Benecio Del Toro in particular), they are arranged in a sloppy jigsaw.I left this film quite certain of one thing--it wasn't really worth the time to watch, despite the good intentions and interesting ideas that didn't cohere.

cwpnewpaltz

03 April 2013

No good deed goes unpunished

Possible spoilers attached. Hated the ending of this movie. Absolutely hatedit. Aside from the improbable pledge that leads Nicholson to hisobsessive-compulsive behavior, the improbable way the gas station ownersells out in a day and moves to Arizona, the improbable fact of his oldpolice buddies helping Nicholson out and then abandoning him at thecritical moment, the improbable accident that causes the killer not to showup as scheduled, etc., the ending was abominable. There was no reason forthis decent guy, who retired from the force with a superb reputation, toturn into a failed drunk because he tried to do a good deed. What isHollywood's cynical message here?

mads leonard holvik

02 April 2013

A rare movie

I thought Indian Runner by Sean Penn was a great movie, with greatactors, especially Viggo Mortensen, but The Pledge might be evenbetter. Again, Sean Penn has a very good script, and again the actorsare top notch. Benicio del Toro, Harry Dean Stanton, Mickey Rourke,Aaron Eckhart and Jack Nicholson are just some of them. Tom Noonan asGary Jackson is a bold move, since he played the serial killer inManhunter. He does that very well, since he has the ability to make theviewer believe he might be a good guy. The film does not sell itselfout, so by the time it is over, there is a sense that you have justwatched something rare and great, and that you should treasure in thedesert that is mainstream cinema.

Steve

01 April 2013

quality character study and proves that Penn can direct

As in "Indian Runner", Sean Penn takes a average tale and makes itsomething more. Penn skillfully uses imagery and visual poetry.Nicholson's performance is excellent and is at it's best when he issubdued and patient.The plot unfolds at a deliberate pace. but that draws the intelligentviewer deeper into the movie. If a shot lingers, we wonder why. We scanthe frame looking for clues not only to help us figure out "whodunit",but also for clues into the motivation of our protagonist. It isactually vague enough for me to question whether it isn't Nicholsonhimself behind the murders.We see another excellent performance from Robin Wright (Penn?) who ismade up to look simply awful in this film. We watch the patient andobsessive retired cop use all sorts of bait to catch the fish he isafter. I found myself trying to give advice to Nicholson's character. Iempathized both with his dilemma and his loneliness. His policeinstincts are honed from years of obsessive but effective lawenforcement. Quality acting all the way down to the bit parts.

ken c.

01 April 2013

If you miss the fishing symbolism, youve missed the point

So many of the critical comments about "The Pledge" on this web site dealwith the film's slow-moving pace and drawn-out story line. But from theopening credits, director Sean Penn establishes that his retiring cop, JerryBlack (Jack Nicholson) is an expert fisherman.If you don't understand fishing, you obviously won't understand thisfilm.Nicholson's detective obviously knows where to find his prey, and has theself discipline to wait patiently for his catch, knowing full well that hehas the perfect bait for the job.My lone criticism of the film is the glossing over of any real"investigation" into the central murder. Why couldn't DNA testing rule outthe most obvious suspect? Why doesn't Detective Black ever take hisquestions about the victim's drawing to her parents, to whom him made hispledge? These are minor flaws, but could have made for interesting plotsidelines.Overall, a disturbing film, but one that deals realistically with obsessionsof many types.

31 March 2013

good movie, uncomfortable subject matter

This movie is really good! I think some people had trouble with the subject matter and that may cloud their viewing of the movie. Plus, it didn't have big action sequences, fighting, etc. to give it the usual big screen formula sucess.The movie did not end in a tidy package, "ie" killer found, cop vindicated, new life and love in perfect setting. Instead the movie followed a path that shows one mans haunted obsession and the path it takes him on, with the fraility of human emotions.

30 March 2013

Decent

I would just like to say that this movie was not all bad, but it could have been a lot better. It ran quite slow, but it was nicely acted, written, and directed. The ending was OK, but I was suspecting one to be a lot better, and it left me with a feeling of "is that it??". I found some scenes quite annoying like the questioning of Benecio del Toro. In short it was alright but definetly not a keeper.

strauss12

28 March 2013

Sean Penns third strike as a director

I thought I'd give Penn one more shot as a director, and I went to seethisfilm. While certainly his best effort so far, this film rambles andultimately falls apart. The first half of the film differs from the secondhalf so markedly, you'd think a different (and less talented) directorstepped in to complete the project. Jerry Black goes through anunbelievablemetamorphosis from crimefighting pundit to total loon. It just doesn'tplay.There are far too many artsy pauses and fishing scenes where story andcharacter development should be. A disappointment.

Jack the Ripper1888

27 March 2013

Very disappointing. (MAJOR SPOILERS)

Which movie wins an award for one of the suckiest endings ever? This onedoes! The latest film directed by Sean Penn is THE PLEDGE. One of the mostdiappointing movies I have ever seen. Detective Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) has made a promise to the mother of amurdered little girl that he will find the girl's killer. The only problemis that he's having a little trouble tracking the guy down. The supportingcast includes Aaron Eckhart, Helen Mirren, Benicio Del Toro, Harry DeanStanton, Patricia Clarkson, Robin Wright Penn, Vanessa Redgrave, SamShepard, Tom Noonan, Lois Smith, and the great Mickey Rourke. Honestly, Icannot even remember half of those names being in the film. Partially due tothe fact that many of them hardly have roles in the film. Helen Mirren isonly in one scene!Time for me to complain about the ending, READ NO FURTHER IF YOU HAVEN'TSEEN THE TERRIBLE MOVIE!Okay, the ending is probably the suckiest ending I have ever viewed. The boxmakes the film read like a good old-fashioned suspense thriller where thedetective trying to find the killer will eventually find him and theneventually kill him after discovering that it was someone who we neversuspected. But, no! We never even figure out the identity of thekiller...instead, the film ends with Jack Nicholson sitting in a chair,shaking nervously and mumbling. What is up with that? Did the writers justget tired of writing the script? And what is wrong with Sean Penn? A gooddirector/actor like him should have been able to spot an ending that wouldsuck oh so very badly. This film is possibly one of the worst thrillers thatsits on my video shelf. THE PLEDGE: 2/5.