Pedge, The (2001)
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Robin-Wright Penn, Sam Shephard, Benicio Del Toro
Director: Sean Penn
Synopsis: Penn's impressive psychological cop drama starring a rejuvenated Nicholson.
Reviewed by: Ali Khan

Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) is a day away from retirement from the police force in Reno when news comes in of the mutilated body of a seven or eight-year-old local girl. Black goes out on the call and finds himself having to deliver the tragic news to the girls parents. In the process he is drawn into 'pledging' that he find the killer, despite knowing that his official involvement in the case is all but over. In fact, a suspect is found, a confession forced out of him and the case closed. Black remains unconvinced and continues to investigate the case in his retirement. From this point the film that sets up as a run of the mill police story, with suspects, victims and indications of serial killers, turns into a story of obsession and a descent into madness and despair.

Those expecting The Pledge to be a shoot 'em up cop thriller will be disappointed because while Nicholson's character starts piecing together clues and closing in on the killer, the film's focus is firmly on his state of mind rather than on the process of finding the suspect. There is an ambivalence in Jerry Black that is fully exploited by Penn. Is he solely driven by this pledge to find the killer of the girl or do his other emotions and relationships also influence his behaviour? As Jerry discovers what a happy domestic life can be, the audience is forced to question whether this is simply a sham and that Jerry is using this visage of domestic bliss as bait for the killer.

Sean Penn's film is an ambitious piece of work and despite its shortcomings it is clear that Penn has no interest in making ordinary films. He'd rather produce a flawed but challenging work rather than a safe and unchallenging film. There is an intelligence and purpose to his work and The Pledge clearly shows the attention, detail and care that has gone into making the film. Just occasionally the line between thoroughness and over indulgence appear to be breached as long, reflective shots and music intersperse scenes. If one was to be nit picky then one could also question the need to show the photo images of the mutilated girl's body which veers towards the more sensationalist serial killer movies. But overall the film is well crafted, beautifully shot and superbly acted.

For Jack Nicholson, The Pledge is a wonderful return to form showing that the actor within - dormant for so long - is still alive and kicking. Gone are the usual mannerisms and the hamming. In there place a subtle, sober and human performance. At the same time we sense deeper, darker currents and ambivalence in the character. By the end the audience has realised that the film is not a crime thriller but the story of one man's descent into obsession and despair. It is here that Nicholson's prowess is most needed and he delivers on all counts in what should be an Oscar nominated role. Nicholson is backed up by the excellent Robin-Wright Penn and a host of cameos from the likes of Sam Sheppard, Mickey Rourke and Benicio Del Toro.

A thought provoking, sombre film The Pledge is Penn's best effort to date and while not quite the masterpiece that he would have aimed for it is an intelligent film from a gifted and sensitive director.