soranamicooper
I caught the second half of this flick and was engaged by its pace; it's well shot and enhanced by the soundtrack. Jack N is convincing and the rest do OK too, with some very (very, very) little cameos by such as Harry Dean Stanton and Micky Rourke. I saw the whole film a few days later and found I wasn't quite as enthusiastic about it. Some of the characters seemed less credible and a bit cliché. The story plays out like a suspense thriller/whodunnit, which is not really my thing, but there's just about enough interest to keep one watching (and there's always Jack) and the film's merits just about counteract its shortcomings (which are mainly plot-related and the fact there are too many lazy coincidences to serve its progression). The ending is a tad disappointing, plot-wise, as it seems a bit of a cop out to me, although the very final scene offers some form of redemption by refocusing our attention on the character study that I guess is its main aim/strength.
Joey Tranchina
How does a fine actor direct a film where he elicits unforgettable performances from ten, or so, of the best actors alive on the planet in service of a compelling story, yet end up with a 5 star film? Start with a decent script in crying need of a final rewrite; proceed with cinematography that rolls from redundantly hyper-dramatic to b-roll mediocrity of a bad travelogue, then edit the film with disrespect for the pace that the characters are driving the action.If you like great acting you'll love this film; if you love great films, you'll hate it. I loved and hated "The Pledge." It a disaster of spectacular potential. 5/10
Elise Sherry
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.
The Couchpotatoes
I can get why some people don't like the movie. I expected something else as well. I thought it was going to be more mysterious with faster action. But nevertheless I was not disappointed by The Pledge. It's a good movie. The end could have been better but it is what it is. It's clear what happened and you're not left with questions unanswered. Some people thought Jack Nicholson didn't deliver like we are used of him. I have to disagree completely with that. Jack Nicholson is the main character of this movie and I thought is acting was top notch. To me having Jack Nicholson in a movie is almost a certainty to have a good movie. He's a world class actor. Strong character roles are written for him and he always deliver. The rest of the cast was good as well. All in all the movie might be a bit slow and different from what you expect it to be but it is well directed with strong acting. Certainly worth a watch.
AD
