The Pledge (2001)

Excellent adaptation.

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

Left me wanting more. Mystifying ending, and not in a good way

What gives? This film's cast includes a star-studded roll call including Helen Mirren, Jack Nicholson, Robin Wright Penn, Vanessa Redgrave, Mickey Rourke, Sam Shepard, and Harry Dean Stanton. But these names do not appear in the main listing for the film, only available in the 'full' listing. The only names I recognise in the main listing are Patricia Clarkson and Aaron Eckhart and we are blessed with such major players as Bus Driver, Store Clerk, Real Estate Agent, Criminologist #1, and Deputy #3. This is not the first example of this sort of thing on IMDB; can some common sense be brought to bear?

Now retired police detective Jerry Black lives completely within the law.In splendid character he very successfully uncovers the illegal acts of a deeply dark child killer. The glory of that career finale credit goes to him.However, the story of the catch is completely lost to him and he is discredited and stripped of having a good side!What makes a town a town, or a man a man? It is a chief person or object that makes each of them. They are no longer when they lose that which is exceptional.

I was constantly intrigued throughout the whole film. What was going to happen next? What evidence in the investigation would come to light and bust the focused case wide open? While these questions remained in my mind until the credits rolled, I came to realize that this film isn't about a grisly murder and its history. Not solely at least. Yes, the murder is the base of the film, however, it is Nicholson's character and the reality of the human mind's willingness to go to extensive lengths to find answers and closure that this movie really pursues. I found this to be a touching and refreshing take on the concept of the 'very knowledgeable, experienced but soon retiring policeman who ends his career obsessing on a recent case' genre that Hollywood has used every so often. I was constantly torn between what was real and what was not, and the film left me guessing until the twist was clearly revealed, and many times, I guessed wrong. I don't believe that this film, by viewers, more specifically, critics, should be molded and warped into a disappointing feature because it isn't exactly original or revolutionary for Nicholson per say. The dialogue is sharp and crisp, yet at times too sentimental and predictable. While some scenes are shocking and extremely noteworthy for its execution, again, some remain the instigator of sighs and eye rolls. Yet, one should overlook these imperfections. As a whole, this film did not turn out how I originally expected when I read a short premise, and that is a quality I will always respect within a film.No, it isn't a masterpiece, it isn't that showcase of a film that many look for when Nicholson is involved, but the story is so interesting, captivating and devastating that I cannot see why this film can be so poorly rated. Go into this with a hope for something you expect, and be proved wrong. It'll be worth your while.