I can understand how some movies become under-rated, but not this one. Brilliant writing, acting, and directing.
If you don't like this movie then go watch something mindless that doesn't take much effort to understand.
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And if you liked it read the novel by swiss writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt on which the movie is based on (original title "Das Versprechen"):
The Pledge
The Pledge by Friedrich Durrenmatt (Paperback - Nov 1, 2000)
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I agree 100%. Very underrated. But movies that don't follow any established formula aren't usually very popular.
shareHAHA, most critics, Ebert included, gave this film 4.5 stars and higher out of 5. How exactly is this underrated? If this terrible film is anything it's overrated.
Totally sophomoric directorial attempt by an amazing actor... Period. The acting was anything but brilliant, it was inconsistent at best. And as for the writing we can thank Friedrich Dürrenmatt, the author of the original novella, for the story; Penn & his crew nearly ruined it.
"Hustling jalapeno dips to the apple seeds. Go on... Dismissed. Dismissed!"
No way. Sean Penn is a better director than he is actor IMO. And he's an exceptional actor so what does that say about his directing?? This movie is so under-rated! Great performance from Nicholson too. It's such a shame that movies like this fly under the radar.
If you piss in your pants you can only stay warm for so long
Ooof, I don't know. Sean Penn is a tremendous actor, and his directing jobs have been mediocre at best (except for Into the Wild, which I loved). He has just had the good fortune to be able to have such great actors in his films. Dead Man Walking, Crossing Guard, this. Tremendous all around.
That being said, I enjoyed this movie, but I wouldn't really call it underrated. Like another member pointed out, it was really well received by critics, just never did well commercially. That doesn't make it underrated. If a movie was sort of panned, but you loved it, it could be underrated. I loved The Ninth Gate and The Cell, but both weren't well received when they came out, so I'd consider them underrated.
The Pledge = wicked cast, great story, poorly executed
Dead Man Walking was directed by Tim Robins. But I think The Pledge's 'execution' was the stand out. Jack Nicholson was the only actor in this who was really great. I wouldnt call Robin Wright Penn or Aaron Eckhart a wicked cast. Similar stories have been done many times before. So I think Penn's direction is what made this a great movie, and incredibly under-rated
If you piss in your pants you can only stay warm for so long
great directing job, indeed. the ending was the best part even tho it was rather cruel. but that's life as this guy said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY9VNlcnaCQ would have been a cool closing song over the credits i think...
Where there's smoke, there's barbecue!
The Pledge = wicked cast, great story, poorly executed
I look at it the exact opposite way. If the detectives had put it all together about who was in that car, that would be “Hollywood injecting” itself. The way it ends is very realistic. It’s depressing but realistic.
Also, it would’ve been silly if they figured it all out just from seeing a random car wreck on a “main” road as they drove by. We the viewers know who it is, but how would the cops know that that was the person. Yeah, it’s a dark car like the kids crayon drawing, but they didn’t even really believe Nicholson’s theory on the case.
It’s a bummer of an ending but refreshing when most movies have a “Hollywood ending”.
Agreed. Anyone into serial killer flicks or psych horror should really check this one out. Maybe it lacks the epic-ness, but it's a very good movie.
I thought Nicholson pulled off (as usual) an ok role as an alchoholic cop..
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