The Pledge is a 2001 murder-mystery directed by Madonna's ex-husband Sean Penn. Jack Nicholson leads a star-studded cast featuring Robin Wright Penn (in one her best performances), Aaron Eckhart, Sam Shepard, Hellen Mirren, Harry Dean Stanton, Vanessa Redgrave, Benicio Del Toro, and Tom Noonan. The Pledge follows newly-retired cop Jerry Black as he chases, what he believes to be, a serial child-murderer. Black, struggling to adjust to his new life as a "little person," cannot forget his "pledge" to the mother of a murdered young girl. Believing the wrong man has been charged for that crime (Benicio Del Toro in a brief, yet electric performance, as a mentally disabled Native American), Black hunts the believed killer, finally connecting a set of similar murders and disappearances. Black eventually installs himself at the centre of these crimes, waiting patiently for the true killer to reveal himself. Tom Noonan enters as the ultimate red herring, a creepy, porcupine-sculpture gifting preacher that also operates a snow-plow and has a penchant for chatting up little girls (I know, he must be a serial killer right?). Black sets the trap with his girlfriend's daughter, playing a dangerous game in an attempt to ensnare "The Wizard" (not Noonan after all). Ultimately, Black's plan derails (or does it?), causing him to lose his burgeoning family, as well as it appears, his sanity.
Penn directs The Pledge with admirable restraint for a first-time director, only occasionally reaching for too much. The film moves with purpose, allowing the story to take centre-stage. Nicholson turns in an understated, yet effective performance as the insular, good hearted Black. Robin Wright Penn is excellent as the trashy waitress Lori. Despite her stately beauty queen looks, Penn is perfect as the rough and tumble Lori, bringing tenderness and resolve to the role. The cast is uniformly strong, though it feels a bit like a guilty pleasure watching theatrical titans like Mirren, Shepard, and Redgrave fill out relatively bit parts. Rourke delivers an extremely brief, yet memorable turn as the custodian father of one of the disappeared girls. Even in this microscopic dose, Rourke displays his other-worldly charisma, captivating the camera even if just momentarily. Aaron Eckhart is also excellent as Black's hot-shot predecessor, providing an energetic foil to Nicholson's laconic Black.
The Pledge is an interesting predecessor to the current trend of Nordic horror, feeling like the older brother of recent films like Let The Right One In and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, as well as delivering the same occult terror as True Detective. Definitely worth watching, The Pledge is a surprisingly film, and one that leaves me hoping for more Sean Penn helmed features (as long as he doesn't act).
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