Review of The Pledge (2001) by Spangle — 05 Aug 2016

The Pledge is a terrific film until the very end where things happen to quickly. I am content with the resolution to the case, but everything else in that finale happened far too quickly and seemed incredibly unnatural and rushed.

However, the proceeding hour and 45 minutes were terrific. Tense, engaging, and draped in paranoia, Jack Nicholson turns in a terrific performance as a detective who keeps working a case after retirement and is intent on finding a man who is kidnapping and viciously killing little girls.

Some have called the film's subject disturbing, but the film is never graphic (or at least never more graphic than your average crime mystery). The rest of the cast is very able with Benicio del Toro standing out amongst a sea of talented supporting actors.

The direction from Sean Penn is more than capable and though I disagree with his decisions towards the end, the rest of the film is great. Overall, The Pledge is a little bit of a let down due to a rushed ending that tries to race to the finish.