Starring: Jack Nicholson, Patricia Clarkson, Benicio Del Toro
Director: Sean Penn
Category: III
There's little doubt that, as an actor, former brat-packer Sean Penn has taken plenty of risks. Just consider the difference in two roles through which we can chart his progression: the stoner Jeff Spicoli in 1982's Fast Times At Ridgemont High and the killer Matthew Poncelet in 1995's Dead Man Walking. You don't get more diverse than that.
With such an extensive acting CV under his belt - and with the experience of having worked under the guidance of directors such as Woody Allen and Brian De Palma - much was expected of Penn when, with 1991's The Indian Runner and then 1995's The Crossing Guard, he moved behind the camera. And he hasn't disappointed. His first two efforts were taut and gripping and, with his third effort, The Pledge, Penn gives us more of the same.
It is a tribute to Penn's directorial skills that he has been able to draw a most remarkable performance out of The Crossing Guard star Jack Nicholson, who not only steals the show in The Pledge, but stamps his class all over the film.
