bkoganbing Jack Nicholson is in one sense a throwback to the old time studio system of actors in like stars such as Cary Grant or James Cagney he's so identifiable, impersonators have made whole careers of doing Nicholson. But the usual Nicholson is not really present here. Director Sean Penn kept the usual Nicholson shtick carefully in check in The Pledge, but did get a great performance out of him as a cop who just can't let the job go. Happens in many jobs when you are conscientious and care about what you do.On the eve of his retirement Nicholson who is at his retirement dinner goes out with the rest of the detectives and uniforms on a crime scene of a brutal rape murder of a child. A mentally challenged Benicio Del Toro is arrested and a confession is wormed out of him. But rather than go through the system DelToro steals a cop's gun and it's suicide by cop. Nicholson isn't satisfied and he thinks he has found a pattern of a serial killer. He also befriends Patricia Clarkson who has a little girl of the same type as the one this serial killer is supposed to like. Clarkson is a good soul who has had it rough and she and Nicholson start developing a relationship which under normal circumstances might go somewhere. But even in retirement Nicholson is a cop first and foremost. That fact kills any chances he'll have of happiness and completion.Sean Penn assembled a good cast that gives great performances, especially those I've mentioned. No Nicholson shtick here like you find in such classics as Chinatown and A Few Good Men, but a really good acting job.

TonyMontana96 (Originally reviewed: 10/02/2017) Nicholson's performance is one of his best, and almost as harrowing and intense as his role as Jack Torrance in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. Sean Penn's direction is extremely impressive, he proves he can direct a film as well as he can act; and Penn a very good actor takes what he has learned about film and makes a film that is memorable from start to finish, even if it might put some people off, considering the nature of the story; it's a strong piece of filmmaking with locations that fit the story and the tone of the picture perfectly.The story is like you would expect but with plotting that is not just unpredictable but most impressive, the second half is equally as good as the first and the pace is purposely slow burning at times, to pause for some psychological effects between the character's and what's happening on screen; Nicholson's contained performance is absolutely brilliant, his sheer intensity and traumatic expression are impressive; and there's a very good sequence where he finds out Lori's daughter has gone to church with a priest, and the look on his face is haunting, especially seeing him rushing around, trying to get to the church before it's too late, and after he drives across a ton of meadows and fields, you are in for a surprise that will either shock you or at the very least make you jump .The supporting cast are truly gripping; among it are Aaron Eckhart (Stan/ Jerry's police partner), Robin Wright Penn (Lori), and Patricia Clarkson Margaret Larson (mother of the child that was killed), Helen Mirren as a Doctor, Benicio Del Toro as Toby Jay, a convicted nutcase accused of the murder and even Mickey Rourke who play's Jim, a man interviewed by Jerry half way through, which leads to some strong acting from Rourke, which actually surprised me. There's plenty of other good performances too, that's exactly what a great film requires, great acting, story and script, and this has all three; and talking of the script, it's originally haunting and solidly written.The score is steady and atmospheric, the film feels as if anything could happen at any time during the conclusion and putting the pieces together is well worthwhile, if you like a film that requires thinking. This is exactly my type of film, a smart, atmospheric one, with strong performances and a haunting, surprise ending that is coherent, memorable and leaves you with the feeling that you have just seen a great film; some people may not get this picture, but for those who do, you're in for an underrated masterpiece.

Byrdz This was another of my notorious "VHS sale at the local library" purchases. I had never heard of it but it had Nicholson in it and the write up looked interesting so into the bag it went.Jack Nicholson actually appears as someone other than Jack Nicholson in this one. He does not shout, excessively roll his eyes or swear nonstop. He is quite subdued and he even goes fishing .... often! Jack is surrounded by an outstanding cast of big name actors playing extended cameo roles.Director Sean Penn seems to be drawn to these ... lets say "less than sunny" stories but he handles them well and was able to draw out the "old Nicholson" who actually seemed to enjoy what he was doing. .The ending is rather muddled and we are left not really knowing exactly who the killer was but sometimes that's just the way life is.Not action filled, rather bloody but not gratuitously, character study more than anything. If you can find it, watch it.

DarthVoorhees 'The Pledge' works largely because so much of it is playing with the expectations and prejudices of it's audience.Nicholson stars as a retiring cop who has one last case. Sound familiar? It feels like a police drama for a lot of it until the last act which I think would have made a far more interesting film had it been expanded into a full length story. Nicholson's character is obsessed with finding a serial killer who may or may not exist. He comes to the point where he seduces a bartender to use her little girl as bait to catch the killer. This is where the movie turns and becomes fresh. It's an understated performance and a sad character Nicholson brings to life. One gets the feeling the movie is as much about aging and find a way to stay relevant.It also has an outstanding supporting cast loaded with top notch character actors. Aaron Eckhardt, Sam Shepherd, Helen Mirren, Costas Mandylor, Mickey Rourke, Patricia Clarkson, Tom Noonan all turn in memorable scenes. My one gripe is that it is far too clean looking a movie. It has that same pristine look that a lot of the thrillers from the early 00's have. There's no atmosphere in the lighting or cinematography. The main thing is it's color palette is so bland. This could have been a great stylistic noir film in the hands of Fincher.Sean Penn and Nicholson know what the beats of this kind of film and they play them until they reach the brilliant final act. The result is something fresh and frightening. While discussing the film I heard it referred to as a "meta movie". That term is dead on. It makes the last act of the film so much more interesting when it doesn't go through the motions of the cop thriller at all. I remember thinking that "Oh what a nice change of pace to see Nicholson play this character with a moral code" and then you see how cavalierly he uses the little girl as bait and you come to despise him. Jerry didn't get the memo that he wasn't supposed to be the hero. It's a unique film. Nicholson is as always masterful. The beginning has some slow areas but it ends up being an alienating thriller that haunts the audience expecting a standard story of a hero cop getting his serial killer.