Does this compare more closely to The Indian Runner or The Pledge?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Crossing Guard
jewellrunner — 16 years ago(October 13, 2009 10:38 AM)
Does this compare more closely to The Indian Runner or The Pledge?
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ssarag1138 — 16 years ago(October 25, 2009 08:54 PM)
SPOILER ALERT!!!!
I've only seen this and The Pledge, but I have to say I liked The Pledge a lot better than this film. In fact I watched it on the basis of how much I enjoyed Th ePedge and in so doing was sorely disappointed. It started off well, and I was used to Penn's slow-burn style of directing, but after the film had established its characters and premise it just kind stalled and slipped into this miasma of bellybutton gazing that almost had me reaching for the fast-forward button. I actually thought the foot chase became, by turns, tedious and laughable. And its contrived reason - to lead Nicholson to his daughters grave - was so ham-fisted in its literal imagery that I felt cheated out of two hours of my life. Robin Wright-Penn, who I would normally walk over hot coals to see in a film, I found annoying.
I"ve recorded The Indian Runner and am hoping for good things and I'll get around to Into the Wild. At this moment, based on The Pledge alone, in my view Sean Penn has established himself as a fantastic director, but I'm glad I didn't see The Crossing Guard first! -
WarpedRecord — 15 years ago(June 28, 2010 12:11 AM)
I think this is much closer to "The Indian Runner" for the mood it creates, and the focus on David Morse's characters. Both this and "The Indian Runner" involve a generalized malaise and feeling or hopelessness. I preferred "The Pledge" to both films, though one of Jack Nicholson's finest performances in recent years.
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Soodinum — 14 years ago(January 21, 2012 07:11 PM)
I agree, and mostly for the reason that in The Pledge you can watch one of the most recognized actors in the world, someone who in recent times has been stuck playing 'himself', pulling the same faces, using the same delivery, etc, and in most scenes you can ACTUALLY forget you're looking at J.N. It's a great piece of work and, yes, one of his finest performances.
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WarpedRecord — 14 years ago(January 21, 2012 08:18 PM)
Excellent observation on Nicholson constantly playing "himself" in recent films! "As Good as It Gets," "Anger Management" and "Bucket List" come to mind immediately. Seems like he's constantly expected to play the cranky codger or irascible coot, with an inevitable scene of verbal thrashing.
It's refreshing to see a subtler, more nuanced performance like this as a reminder of what a talent he is. "About Schmidt" is another film where he's not just playing Jack.