This would have made a great Clint Eastwood movie
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Crossing Guard
Starchie28 — 17 years ago(November 08, 2008 10:21 AM)
Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Jack Nicholson. I just think Eastwood would have been better at conveying the sense of a closed-off man who has withdrawn from life to the point where everything is building up to getting revenge. Look at Unforgiven, look at Million Dollar Baby.
Nicholson was certainly fine in the role, and I give him credit for going against type. But even a bit unrestrained, we still get a too much of Nicholson the personality, ready to boil over at any minute, smarting off to customers (deservedly, btw) in the jewelry store in typical Nicholson fashion. You find yourself wondering why anyone cares about him and some scenes with him just seemed a bit awkward. Eastwood (I think) could convey a bit more likeability and vulnerability hiding behind the desperation. I really didn't get that from Nicholson in this film, even if characters like his wife and her new husband somehow did.
In fact, Eastwood could have probably done a better job directing as well. Just my opinion -
marioncrane — 14 years ago(December 02, 2011 08:41 PM)
I entirely agree with your comments pertaining to Nicholson. I'm not sure if Eastwood would have been right for the part either, but he would certainly have been an improvement.
Maybe if Eastwood had directed the end result would not be a painfully slow, boring and pretentious load of rubbish either. I know Eastwood also does slow, but when he does it, it's generally right. Don't make me look at Million Dollar Baby though, please. Not a fan.
"Three yearsI promise." -
zap644 — 12 years ago(May 14, 2013 09:58 AM)
I can't see Eastwood in Nicholson's role in this film. The way I see it, he was a very different person after losing his daughter and getting divorced.
Perhaps Eastwood would have been a better director for this movie, but either as actor or director, the movie would have been different. Whether that's good or bad we'll never know, but it would have been different.