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BongoBoy
Reviews
The Pledge (2001)
The Pledge ... A Masterpiece
I concur that "The Pledge" is a masterpiece of sorts, and could rightly be termed a film that doesn't take the easy way out. It challenges the audience to think for itself, as opposed to simply offering the usual visceral images and noisy soundtrack.
For those who seek films where the entire point is to view a series of explosions and smart-ass one-liners, "The Pledge" will indeed be a disappointment. Too bad. There's such a preponderance of pre-juvenile crap that is churned out as if on an assembly line that a thoughtful, intelligent movie should be positively revered.
The scene at the end of the film, wherein Jack is seen scratching his ankle and then talking/emoting to himself, struck me as being familiar upon first viewing. Afterwards, I rewound and watched the opening moments and instantly realized that this was, in fact, the FIRST scene, playing out while the opening credits are rolling. The story is, for all intents and purposes, on a loop. In fact, we are seeing the sad conclusion first and THEN given the story and circumstances explaining Jack's eventual breakdown.
"The Pledge" is about one man's refusal to retire; thus, he finds a reason (making the pledge to the distraught mother of the murdered girl) to stay active on the case. He becomes consumed with it because he truly has nothing else in his life except his job as detective. He's not ready to sit on a porch, running a fishing store (despite the fact he uses this as a front). The pledge he makes is simply AN EXCUSE, so he may continue "doing something useful with his life." His motivations are propelled by selfishness and less about solving the case, although he ultimately wants to justify his stubborn outward stance with that conclusion.
Still, what drives the man is his need to be doing what he must to remain alive and vital. Add to all of this yet another layer ... the question of the morality in placing another little girl in potential jeopardy, and you have a film reminiscent of the depth of the Nicholson/Rafelson collaborations of the 1970s.
Those who don't wish to be so challenged by following a fully realized character and his motivations can always choose to sit back and receive the usual pablum. I don't intend to insult anyone, but to classify this offering as boring tells me the viewer was seeking a Big Mac and was accidentally served filet mignon.
Glory! Glory! (1989)
Satire at its Best...
As noted by the first three reviewers (ironically, all of them from Oklahoma... clearly a state that recognizes great films), "Glory! Glory!" is truly special. The late, great director Lindsay Anderson solidified his well-deserved reputation as a master of satire with this entry.
Unfortunately, "Glory! Glory!" has never been released on either VHS or DVD. A pity, because the writing, acting and overall production are positively brilliant. Never too heavy-handed, it makes solid points about the business of televangelism and how it is no different from any other aspect of showbiz. Backroom deals of all types are cut, individuals act in self-serving ways that contradict the "holy mission" they claim to represent, people manipulate, control and abuse one another ... and that's just on the surface!
Did I mention that this is achieved with a wry, light-hearted touch? Presenting this potentially inflammatory material in such tongue-in-cheek fashion prevents it from descending into a lecture. The viewer will find himself laughing out loud much of the way. A real bonus is that the music is also top rate and never intrusive; when we hear a song, it is part of the overall story and thus propels it forward.
Richard Thomas and Ellen Greene are standouts. Both infuse their characters with a depth that allows us easy access to their individual strengths and weaknesses. That being said, in my estimation James Whitmore's performance as Lester Babbitt runs away with the show. Sublime and outrageous simultaneously, it is the stuff of legend. A consummate character actor, Whitmore has never been finer.
If you ever get the opportunity to see this, drop everything else and make it top priority. You will indeed be rewarded.