Critic Reviews
Pledge, The (2001) Rank 5 Reviews
Expert Review Summary
based on (219) reviews
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Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
"Penn has directed a superb film..." ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)
Flipside Movie Emporium (Jeremiah Kipp)
Sean Penn is emerging as a bona fide filmmaker of note, his themes revolving around tormented, battered souls trying to make a go at what little they have in life. Their thwarted masculinity keeps getting in the way, and therein lies the absurd ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Flipside Movie Emporium (Jeremiah Kipp)
Shannon Patrick Sullivan
Review: At first, "The Pledge" appears to be just another standard, if wellexecuted, crime drama. It is anything but; in its final hour, it turns the corner and becomes a riveting, terrifying study of its lead character, Jerry Black. Penn pays attention ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Shannon Patrick Sullivan
Looking Closer (Jeffrey Overstreet)
ToxicUniverse.com (Lee Chase IV)
Sean Penn, who I think is one of the great actors working now, continues to prove himself as an original filmmaker. With The Pledge, he has taken an age-old premise and turned into a fascinating study of a man that doesn't know ...read the complete Pledge movie review at ToxicUniverse.com (Lee Chase IV)
One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
This isn't the first time, incidentally, that Durrenmatt's book has been filmed. I can't speak about a 1994 version titled "In the Cold Light of Day" (and starring Richard E. Grant), since I've not been able to see it. But the ...read the complete Pledge movie review at One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
Cinema em Cena (Pablo Villaca)
É uma pena que nem todos tenham paciência para tentar compreender melhor Jerry Black. Tenho certeza de que, no futuro, este será lembrado como um dos personagens mais marcantes da bela carreira de Jack Nicholson. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Cinema em Cena (Pablo Villaca)
Jam! Movies
If leaving a movie theatre with your stomach in knots is your idea of a good time, you can't beat the hideous tension that builds up in the mystery/thriller The Pledge.
In fact, the creation of atmosphere is so well done in this movie you could almost ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Jam! Movies
Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
Cops and robbers stories are a dime a dozen in the movies, and the notion of yet another one isn't cause for excitement. But The Pledge has a lot more than shoot-outs on its mind, and uses its crime thriller trappings to deliver a brooding ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Flipside Movie Emporium (Rob Vaux)
Portland Oregonian (Kim Morgan)
One of the most aggressively ambiguous pictures of the year. There is a certain power to that. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Portland Oregonian (Kim Morgan)
Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
Why on earth didn't Warner Bros. release this movie in time for Oscar consideration? Sure, it's bleak, depressing, sometimes painful to watch. But it would have been one of the best pictures of the year, and Nicholson (who hasn't done work of this ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
Boston Globe (Jay Carr)
In its dark, relentless, devastatingly ironic way, The Pledge is an exhilarating movie, partly because it isn't afraid to be genuinely challenging. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Boston Globe (Jay Carr)
Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Penn and Nicholson take risks with the material and elevate the movie to another, unanticipated, haunting level. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
New York Post (Lou Lumenick)
Not a film for all tastes, but it's a considerable artistic achievement. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at New York Post (Lou Lumenick)
Dustin Putman
"The Pledge" opens like most police murder mysteries do, with the discovery of a mutilated body, and the immediate question of who committed such an atrocity. But there is a subtle difference here, because the film already had managed, by the opening ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Dustin Putman
EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)
After two honorable failures, helmer Sean Penn makes a quantum leap forward with an intriguing murder mystery that's also effective as a psychological character study. Nicholosn's riveting turn compensates for deliberate pacing and downbeat tone. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)
Palo Alto Online (Jeanne Aufmuth)
Robin Wright Penn and Jack Nicholson in The Pledge.Children-in-distress is my least favorite movie theme. I feel the grief and anguish too keenly. But in the hands of talented actor/director Sean Penn, damaged children are featured in a dramatic ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Palo Alto Online (Jeanne Aufmuth)
Movie Habit (Marty Mapes)
Rent this movie, but look past the conventional plot. Look at the photography and look into Nicholson’s soul. See the sad human condition Penn and Nicholson present and learn from it. Do this or don’t bother with it at all. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Movie Habit (Marty Mapes)
Goatdog's Movies (Michael W. Phillips, Jr.)
Sean Penn's directing has developed since the last film I saw by him, 1991's The Indian Runner. That film showed that he had an imperfect grasp on pacing and symbolism, faults that do ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Goatdog's Movies (Michael W. Phillips, Jr.)
ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
Powerful, slow-burning drama by Sean Penn, featuring a superb performance by Jack Nicholson.The one piece of information that will be essential to your enjoyment of The Pledge is that it is emphatically not a typical Hollywood thriller.That the film ...read the complete Pledge movie review at ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
Scott's Movie Reviews (Scott Mantz)
As everyone
already knows, the best part about going to the movies is watching
the coming attractions. Most of the time, they wind up showing you
the film's best scenes, but it's from these two or three ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Scott's Movie Reviews (Scott Mantz)
Jigsaw Lounge (Neil Young)
filmcritic.com (Jonathan Curiel)
An early note to parents with young, blonde daughters: Think twice about seeing The Pledge, and if you must go -- if you’re eager to see Jack Nicholson give one of his best cinematic performances ever -- then take a Valium before entering the ...read the complete Pledge movie review at filmcritic.com (Jonathan Curiel)
Matinee Magazine (Rob Morlino)
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Jack Garner)
Jack Nicholson stars as a homicide detective who can't let go of the last case of his career inThe Pledge, a potent new drama from director Sean Penn.Nicholson plays Nevada detective Jerry Black. He is six hours from retirement ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Jack Garner)
Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Sean Penn's "The Pledge" begins as a police story and spirals down into madness. It provides Jack Nicholson with one of his best roles in recent years, as a retired cop who makes a promise ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Xiibaro Productions (David Perry)
Movie Hell (Michael J. Legeros)
THE PLEDGE is the second movie of the week-well, the second movie of *last* week-directed by either a current or former husband of Madonna. Taking his third turn behind the camera, Sean Penn helms this ably acted and more than slightly surreal ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Movie Hell (Michael J. Legeros)
Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
When an actor directs, audiences have a hard time not reading the actor's film through their reputation. Sean Penn is probably better known for his Jeff Spicoli, marriage to Madonna, and anti-Hollywood attitude than helming his own films. And indeed, ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
The UK Critic (Ian Waldron-Mantgani)
Nicholson is amazing in the lead role, playing a man spurred by integrity and following good instincts, who nonetheless ends up driving himself to madness. And the directorial style of Sean Penn is of course absorbing -- he has a way of meditating on ...read the complete Pledge movie review at The UK Critic (Ian Waldron-Mantgani)
MovieMaze (Thomas Straßer)
San Francisco Chronicle (Bob Graham)
SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
Sean Penn first made a name for himself in his classic role as the stoner in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) and thereafter established himself a role in the gossip magazines as a bad boy, fostered by his penchant for punching paparazzi and a ...read the complete Pledge movie review at SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
Movieman's Guide to the Movies (Brian Oliver)
The Pledge stars Jack Nicholson ( Chinatown ) as Detective Jerry Black. Jerry is about to retire from the police force but decides to take on one case, a case that haunts him and keeps him from enjoying his retirement because of a promise he made with ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Movieman's Guide to the Movies (Brian Oliver)
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
THE PLEDGE follows an aging Nevada homicide detective, days from retirement, who investigates a child murder in the snows of the nearby hills. He vows to find the murderer to the parents of the little girl, and a suspect is caught but kills himself shortl ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
That Cow (Andrew Bradford)
Sometimes the difference between a good movie and a bad movie is a delicate line. The setup in The Pledge is nothing new, starting from one of the longest running themes of a retiring cop who has one last case to put away. We know from the outset that ...read the complete Pledge movie review at That Cow (Andrew Bradford)
DVDActive (Warwick Gaetjens)
This is what you would probably call a "slow movie", which can usually be translated as "boring". And although I wasn't all that blown away by the plot, I was more than captivated by the many commanding performances given by the ...read the complete Pledge movie review at DVDActive (Warwick Gaetjens)
Film Quips Online (John R. McEwen)
Although Nicholson, Wright, and Roberts are all quite convincing in their roles (and, in fact, the cast list is peppered with impressive names like Helen Mirren, Vanessa Redgrave, and Sam Shepard in supporting roles), Penn's direction sometimes gets too ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Film Quips Online (John R. McEwen)
Entertainment Ave! - The Movie Theater
Jarrette Moats - www.guerilla-film.com - review
Swimming to Casablanca - sprint reviews
New York Magazine (Peter Rainer)
If Penn really lets these actors sing, his watchful camera also knows how to respect their silences. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at New York Magazine (Peter Rainer)
Film Threat (Susannah Breslin)
Emotionally powerful film of rare and grave subtlety. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Film Threat (Susannah Breslin)
LA Weekly (F. X. Feeney)
Penn's own gifts as an actor seem, in turn, to bring out the best in Nicholson, as well as the rest of the cast. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at LA Weekly (F. X. Feeney)
Dallas Observer (Robert Wilonsky)
It's not hard to see why actors love working with Penn, even in the smallest roles; he lets them speak monologues even when they're saying nothing at all. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Dallas Observer (Robert Wilonsky)
Variety (Todd McCarthy)
Nicholson is outstanding as he gradually but tellingly sketches in aspects of a man driven by a mission that outstrips his instincts as a professional lawman. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Variety (Todd McCarthy)
The New York Times (Stephen Holden)
Not a pleasant film, but it is deeply, scarily rewarding. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at The New York Times (Stephen Holden)
RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland) (Tom Grealis)
Penn has moulded a patient but deeply unsettling character study, leaving the viewer with more questions than answers. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland) (Tom Grealis)
New York Times (Stephen Holden)
Not a pleasant film, but it is deeply, scarily rewarding. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at New York Times (Stephen Holden)
Empire Magazine (--)
Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
A fierce, fragmented, downbeat film. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
In crafting a fierce, fragmented, downbeat film about a character who makes the wrong decision as a man by being right as a cop, Penn flies in the face of what sells in Hollywood. Godspeed. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
UTK Daily Beacon (Beau Johnson)
MovieFreak.com (Dennis Landmann)
Reel Criticism - The Pledge Review
Moovees.com (Jay Tierney)
filmcritic.com makes a Pledge
Film Monthly (Hank Yuloff)
DVD Review e-zine
ninth symphony films
JoBlo's Movie Emporium reviews "The Pledge"
DVD Authority.com (Matt Brighton)
Greenwich Village Gazette (Eric Lurio)
Cinema in Focus (Denny Wayman and Hal Conklin)
Palo Alto Weekly (Jeanne Aufmuth)
Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jeff Strickler)
Mystery-thriller buffs, promise yourselves that you'll see The Pledge . And while you're at it, be sure to invite along Jack Nicholson fans and anyone who saw the first two movies that Sean Penn directed. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jeff Strickler)
Mr. Showbiz (Lawrence Terenzi)
Jack Nicholson passes on the ham, delivering a subtle, weighted performance that neatly complements Sean Penn's growing confidence as a director. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Mr. Showbiz (Lawrence Terenzi)
Steve Rhodes
As the story begins, Black leaves his retirement party to help investigate the rape and murder of a second grade girl. Later, much to the consternation of his replacement, Stan Krolak (Aaron Eckhart), Black insists that they've got the wrong man. This ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Steve Rhodes
kvikmyndir.com
Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
With The Pledge, his third turn in the director's chair, Sean Penn has cemented his reputation as a voice in bum-out cinema. While his first behind-the-camera effort to not be taken from his own writing, The Pledge fits squarely in his dark, moody ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Reel Movie Critic (George O. Singleton)
When a young boy's snowmobile is stuck in an open field near the woods, he notices Toby (Benicio Del Toro), a slow-witted local, running and acting panicky as he takes off in his pick up truck. The boy walks to the clump of trees where Toby came from ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Reel Movie Critic (George O. Singleton)
Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
Sean Penn's The Pledge is about a man named Jerry Black who is absolutely sure that he is right about something, but is never able to prove it. There is a kind of terrible grandeur to Penn's vision of Jerry because Penn ensures that we see he is right, ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
Reel.com
But as The Pledge reaches its denouement, putting Jerry Black's sanity on the line, the story turns away its sympathetic eye for the sake of depicting the disease over the diseased. There's one critical, closing, transitional moment which rivals Lars ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Reel.com
DVD Talk (Chuck Arrington)
Nicholson's performance is nothing short of incredible. While the subject matter is pretty hard to take, his mastery of the craft of acting, makes it an entertaining, if not chilling experience. I would have liked to have seen more in the way of extras ...read the complete Pledge movie review at DVD Talk (Chuck Arrington)
JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")
Other than re-iterating the well-known fact that "life sucks", I didn't really get much out of this movie. Was it a mystery, was it an existential drama about what life is like after an all-consuming career or was it simply about giving Mickey Rourke a ...read the complete Pledge movie review at JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
The Pledge is clever in the way that it gradually reveals things, but never gives us too much information at one time. The red herrings don't seem as cheap as they often do in murder mysteries, and Jerry is far from the infallible, ...read the complete Pledge movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Film Written Magazine (Jaime N. Christley)
The entire team - in front of the camera and behind - pulls together for this one, and the rewards of giving this film your patience are plenty. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Film Written Magazine (Jaime N. Christley)
Mark Reviews Movies (Mark Dujsik)
Review by Mark Dujsik
After years of over-the-top performances, it is difficult to remember Jack
Nicholson as a serious, subtle actor. In Sean Penn’s new film The
Pledge, Jack the character actor is back, and it’s been well worth the
wait. First, I ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Mark Reviews Movies (Mark Dujsik)
Susan Granger
In this dark psychological drama, Jack Nicholson delivers a wrenching performance as a stressed-out Reno police detective facing retirement. On his last day at work, there's a grisly homicide. An eight year-old girl has been found slashed, raped and ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Susan Granger
Reel.com
But as The Pledge reaches its denouement, putting Jerry Black's sanity on the line, the story turns away its sympathetic eye for the sake of depicting the disease over the diseased. There's one critical, closing, transitional moment which rivals Lars ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Reel.com
Mr. Showbiz (Larry Terenzi)
Works best as a mood piece — the mood, however, is grim. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Mr. Showbiz (Larry Terenzi)
New York Daily News (Jack Mathews)
Jack Nicholson in a performance that ranks among his best, yet leaves you feeling unfulfilled as never before. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at New York Daily News (Jack Mathews)
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
From the beginning, it's apparent that The Pledge is not going to be a happy motion picture. The oppressive atmosphere carefully crafted by director Sean Penn oozes from every frame, infusing even scenes of simple innocence with a grim undertone. Paradoxi ...read the complete Pledge movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Detroit News (Susan Stark)
San Francisco Chronicle (Bob Graham)
Sets off depth charges of the psyche. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Bob Graham)
Entertainment Weekly (Owen Gleiberman)
Penn is a true talent, but there's just enough languid pretension to The Pledge to make you wonder if he's ultimately more interested in parading his promise as a director than in fulfilling it. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Entertainment Weekly (Owen Gleiberman)
Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)
It is understatement to say that Nicholson does some of the finest work of his career here, easily equaling "The Shining" for gargoyle monstrousness and "As Good as It Gets" for tortured humanism. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Carrie Rickey)
CultureDose.net (Lee Chase IV)
Entertainment Insiders
Criminy Pete's Knee Jerk Spoilers
DVDTown (John J. Puccio)
CineScene.com (Sasha Stone)
CineScene.com (Chris Dashiell)
THE WEEKLY MOVIE REVIEW
Light Views, Reviews & Previews (John Larsen)
Christian Spotlight on the Movies
DVD Town (John J. Puccio)
Film Blather (Eugene Novikov)
The Cranky Critic (Chuck Schwartz)
DVD Times review (Alan Daly)
DVD Verdict (Patrick Naugle)
Filethirteen Review
filethirteen.com
Guess the Gross
The Dual Lens (Ian Whitney)
Shadows on the Wall (Rich Cline)
Dual Lens - Review
musicOMH (Michael Hubbard)
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
THE PLEDGE follows an aging Nevada homicide detective, days from retirement, who investigates a child murder in the snows of the nearby hills. He vows to find the murderer to the parents of the little girl, and a suspect is caught but kills himself shortl ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Almost Fabulous Movie Reviews
allesfilm.com (Markus Steiger)
Sean Penn ist noch sehr jung und hat schon ein bewegtes Leben hinter sich. Belächelt für die Ehe mit Madonna, sich langsam als Schauspieler hocharbeitend und schließlich beim Regiestuhl angekommen, ist der sanfte Rebell heute "Everybody’s Darling". ...read the complete Pledge movie review at allesfilm.com (Markus Steiger)
In Film Australia
TV Guide (Ken Fox)
Short on action but heavy on ambiance, and the cumulative effect packs a whopper if you're willing to stop and think about it. Penn, never one to opt for action over thought, clearly expects that his audience will. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at TV Guide (Ken Fox)
Film.com (Robert Horton)
Sometimes feels like an acting class gone berserk, with Penn indulging his high-powered ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Film.com (Robert Horton)
Chicago Reader (Jonathan Rosenbaum)
A nervy as well as somber piece of work, not only for the way it confounds and even frustrates certain genre expectations, but also -- and especially -- for the way it confronts the viewer with the moral implications of that frustration. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Chicago Reader (Jonathan Rosenbaum)
Screen It! Entertainment Reviews for Parents
Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
Lobo Howls (Judith Wolfe)
TheWorldJournal.com (Giancarlo De Lisi)
Fantasticon.com
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Friday & Saturday Review
Movie-Vault.com (Timotei Centea)
Web icon Emily Blunt's wildly askew look at new movie and rentals. Lot's of fun!
The Land of Eric (Eric D. Snider)
Though Nicholson and company are stellar, the dreary film makes promises it doesn't deliver on, pulling the rug out from under us without really letting us step on it in the first place. A little more deftness in the directing, and it could have been ...read the complete Pledge movie review at The Land of Eric (Eric D. Snider)
Chart Magazine
The (Georgetown) Hoya
Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
PopMatters (Cynthia Fuchs)
CultureDose.net (Jeremiah Kipp)
Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)
It's unspeakably morbid, and never adds up to be something special. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)
Spirituality & Health (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Reeling Reviews (Robin and Laura Clifford)
CHUD Review - Nick Nunziata
Political Film Society
Philadelphia City Paper (Sam Adams)
Philadelphia City Paper (Sam Adams)
Flak Magazine (Clay Risen)
eye WEEKLY (Jason Anderson)
MediaCircus (Anthony Leong)
Harvey's Movie Review (Harvey O'Brien)
Wolf Entertainment Guide (William Wolf)
Jump Cut. Magazin für Film und Kritik
World Socialist Web Site
Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)
Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
The solemn, morose tone of The Pledge also guarantees a quick box office death: This is essentially a movie about bad things happening to good people, and if you have any interest in seeing this beautifully made bummer, don't wait too long. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Big Picture Big Sound (Joe Lozito)
Someone needs to assure Sean Penn that he's a good filmmaker. Throughout his third film, "The Pledge," he still appears to be out to prove something the way a fledgling director would. Every shot is composed to within an inch of its life, every scene is ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Big Picture Big Sound (Joe Lozito)
CinemaSense.Com: Movie Reviews of the Heart
FilmHead.com (Matt Heffernan)
mazzyboi's movie page (Angelo Aquino)
Austin Chronicle (Marrit Ingman)
Despite its cast of powerhouse thespians and occasional touches of nervy hyperrealism, Sean Penn's The Pledge is a surprisingly uneven and perhaps even mediocre character drama. Director Penn, following up 1995's The Crossing Guard and 1991's The Indian ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marrit Ingman)
Film Freak Central
Future Movies (Nik Huggins)
ShowBIZ Data (--)
eFilmCritic.com (Greg Muskewitz)
DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)
...a resolutely low-key and solidly unconventional exercise in frustration. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)
Film Threat (--)
Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
Cares not a whit for such arbitrary concepts as justice, crime or punishment. It understands the relativism of right and wrong and takes a kind of perverse pleasure in reminding us that there are some things we'll never know. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Washington Post (Michael O'Sullivan)
Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
A forced march toward certain disaster, a scenario only passionate believers in predestination are likely to savor. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
Wall Street Journal (Joe Morgenstern)
The problem isn't a lack of substance, and certainly not a dearth of talent, but a shortage of fun. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Wall Street Journal (Joe Morgenstern)
Expanded Cinemah
Anchorage Press (Marrit Ingman)
Movies 101 (Robert Glatzer)
Cinema 2000 (Eurico de Barros; João Lopes)
Reel.com (Mary Kalin-Casey)
Cadrage: Le magazine du cinéma international
Sunday Online, Australia (Peter Thompson)
He's one of America's greatest actors, saluted for the versatility he's shown in films as diverse as Easy Rider, Chinatown and As Good as it Gets. And after more than 40 years in front of the cameras, Jack Nicholson is still exploring his craft.
His ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Sunday Online, Australia (Peter Thompson)
Civilcinema.com (Christian Ramirez)
Boxoffice Magazine
Boxoffice Magazine
cinEncanto (Pablo del Moral)
The Flick Filosopher (MaryAnn Johanson)
Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Franchise Pictures needs to pay more attention to the content rather than the cast, as the emphasis lay on in one of their more interesting (if still financially unsuccessful) efforts, the brooding drama The Pledge. As with most Franchise projects, ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Movie Reviews UK
Feeling too good of late? Think you need to have your head dragged a bit? Then take in Sean Penn's The Pledge. These are grim doings indeed. And they're certain to muddle your evening. But if that's not your goal, stand clear. It would be all well and ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Movie Reviews UK
Austin Chronicle (Marrit Ingman)
A surprisingly uneven and perhaps even mediocre character drama. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marrit Ingman)
Premiere (France) (--)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Steve Murray)
Drags us through dark places, without convincing us it's a journey worth taking. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Steve Murray)
DVD Talk (Aaron Beierle)
"The Pledge" is a compelling, very well-acted picture that is recommended, although more as a rental. I think many who are fans of the genre will be satisfied with a viewing, but I'm not sure if anyone will want to watch it more than once. Warner ...read the complete Pledge movie review at DVD Talk (Aaron Beierle)
Filmtracks (Christian Clemmensen)
In the case of the detective in The Pledge, Zimmer,
along with apprentice Klaus Badelt, accentuates that feeling of loneliness
to an even greater degree. In many of these other efforts, Zimmer has
collaborated with one of his fellow Media ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Filmtracks (Christian Clemmensen)
Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)
Ultimately, the payoffs just aren't there, either psychologically or dramatically. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Globe and Mail (Rick Groen)
SPLICEDwire (Rob Blackwelder)
CNN Showbiz
The film begins and ends with Nicholson's battered face in close up, then pulls back to reveal him mumbling and stumbling around what appears to be an abandoned gas station in the middle of nowhere, while birds in flight are superimposed over this ...read the complete Pledge movie review at CNN Showbiz
The King's Room (Paul Perkins)
In this world there are sick people who hurt and kill
little kids as well as adults. There are people who look for those people to put
them away in jail. Some take their job to the max as in this case. The Pledge
is about a homicide policeman Jerry ...read the complete Pledge movie review at The King's Room (Paul Perkins)
DVD Clinic ("Dr. Drew")
On the eve of his upcoming retirement, a homicide detective (Nicholson) finds himself saddled with one last case as he tries to solve a young girl’s brutal rape and murder. When his first suspect commits suicide while in custody, his co-workers seem to ...read the complete Pledge movie review at DVD Clinic ("Dr. Drew")
Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
The cinematography in the film, by Chris Menges of "The Boxer" is also very nice, with good use of location shots (the story is set in rural Nevada). There are lazy afternoons of fishing, interrupted by terrifying nightmares. The editing by Jay Cassidy ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
Salon.com (Charles Taylor)
Just a bad movie, with more bits of good acting and flashes of director's invention than you get in most bad movies. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Salon.com (Charles Taylor)
culturevulture.net (Tom Block)
So logy and doom-laden that watching it feels like a hike through waist-deep snow. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at culturevulture.net (Tom Block)
Movie Parables (Michael Elliott)
Good performances and interesting direction are not enough to balance the completely unedifying nature of this rather disturbing tale. ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Movie Parables (Michael Elliott)
The Movie Chicks
Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) is a cop who takes on a child's murder case the day of his retirement. He makes a promise to the girl's mother that he will find the man responsible for this crime. A suspect is arrested (Benicio Del Toro), but Jerry ...read the complete Pledge movie review at The Movie Chicks
Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)
City Guide Cologne
Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
Detective Black (Nicholson) leaves his own
retirement party to investigate a horrific
rape/homicide crime scene. The victim is only seven
years old. Though there's a flurry of cops on the
scene, ...read the complete Pledge movie review at Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
User Reviews
by Shell-Zee on September 16, 2008
While The Pledge will never be included in anyone's list of favorite Jack Nicholson movies. It is none the less a finely crafted film, with great performances by Patricia Clarkson, Benicio Del Toro, Dale Dickey and of course Jack Nicholson. Kudos to Sean ...
by Millicent Aynes on January 19, 2008
This is a great movie! I have watched it several times and will watch it again. Jack Nicholson is one of my favorite actors. He connects with viewers in a personal way because he shares the emotions and experiences of his character with his audience. ...
by no name on February 04, 2007
This is on my list of top 10 movies ever. The acting is superb and the story is moving. Jack Nicholson did a great job in this film. While it is not a happy tale, it is ...
by RipCity32 on August 14, 2005
Jack Nicholson turns in a superb performance as a cop who suddenly retires but then comes back to solve one last puzzling case. Sean Penn does a superb job of directing and setting the mood for the movie. It is an ultimate mystery thriller that keeps you ...
by Hiram Gomez Pardo on July 05, 2005
If you look inside through the dramatic core of this play, you will find a heartfelt homage to Rashomon: that glorious masterpiece of Akira Kurosawa.
Penn built a simple story in a forgotten town, and deals with an old retired policeman with serious ...
by DSG "DSG" on February 26, 2005
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 ...
by Steve Kandic on December 30, 2004
One of 2001's most underappreciated films, The Pledge is a very unforgiving and dark examination of the consequences of promises that cannot be kept. The brutal murder of children is a chilling and horrendous subject matter but Sean Penn directs the film ...
by Dennis Littrell on September 22, 2004
The ending of this movie, of which we see glimpses in the beginning, is an example of the sort of cosmic irony that some world-renown writers apply to human affairs. It is not the sort of thing usually seen in a movie of course, since the mass mind at ...
by D. E. Castaldi "s... on July 12, 2004
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 ...
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