| Jim Olstad |
It's Detective Jerry Black's last day on the job. The life-long cop will officially be retired tomorrow but not before a case
involving a murdered little girl falls into his lap. After promising the little girl's mother he will find the killer who has
escaped capture many times. The Pledge? To solve the mystery and stop the predator from hurting another innocent child
ever again. Obsessed with honoring his promise to the mother, Jerry's preoccupation beats him into a slow-paced mental
breakdown. He becomes more and more determined to solve the case before his duty is done and his mission accomplished.
Although a key suspect, a simple minded Native American (Benicio Del Toro), is captured that same night and mumbles a
confused confession, Black doesn't buy it for a minute and sets out to solve it in his own unorthodox way. The Pledge is a
winning combination of a psychological drama, character study and suspense thriller.
"Absorbing, dramatically and deeply committed to the acting processes of star Jack Nicholson and the raft of impressive
players supporting him."-- Todd McCarthy, VARIETY
The Pledge features a vast amount of talent in front of and behind the camera. It is one of the most unusually absorbing
surplus of A-list actors in cameo roles. Included are Aaron Eckhart, Robin Wright Penn, Sam Shepard , Helen Mirren,
Harry Dean Stanton, Vanessa Redgrave, (gifted child actress) Pauline Roberts and Mickey Rourke. Sean Penn's strength as
a director comes from knowing the feel for moviemaking in front of the camera. Working with actors comes naturally. He
can get the most from his cast. The performances are superlative yet underused.
"Packed with great performers who, no matter how briefly they may appear on camera, are given a scene or deliver a line
of dialogue or even a mere look.--
Robert W. Butler, KANSAS CITY STAR
Although his camera time is extremely limited, former boxer Mickey Rourke delivers a powerful one-scene knockout as
James Oldstad, the shattered father of one of the previous victims who has become undone by the lack of closure. Rourke
makes a truly unforgettable impression as the still-tortured Dad unable to come to terms with the unsolved mysterious
disappearance and murder of his little girl. He is very moving as he finally breaks down pathetically and begins shouting
out the truth that has left him devastated by the pain. Mickey Rourke is convincing in the anguish, loneliness and depravity
Jim Oldstad has had to endure. His presence helps to pique enough interest to make this flick worth sticking with. Beyond
skilled as always, his emotional scene as the distraught father only add to the film's dramatic weight.
SCENE SELECTION #14: OLSTAD'S LITTLE GIRL
He sits silently alone, stoic in the Smoking Lounge of the Solarium. The room is dark and somber in spite of the lightly
painted walls. His quiet blankness doesnít disturb the trio of small birds at his feet. As he enters the room, the birds are
startled, but the man fails to acknowledge his presence. "Umm, James Oldstad? Uh.. I'm Jerry Black. I'm a police detective.
Uh, I'd just like to talk to you about your daughter." The man takes a long drag from his cigarette and exhales before
replying, "What daughter?". he responds still avoiding eye contact. The detective hesitates for a moment before he
continues. "You did have a daughter that went missing three years ago?"
With little movement he shifts his eyes and finally looks his caller in the eyes. "Did you come here to tell me somethin'
happened to her?" Black answers his question. "No.. no sir." He raises his voice slightly as he continues. "Did you find her
dead or dead or somethiní?" The investigator says, "No sir. We, uh, weíre still trying to find her." The distraught father
looks at Black very briefly. Thereís a lost expression upon his face that clearly shows heís heard that story before. A brief
uncomfortable pause occurs before he continues. ìIs there anything you might tell me about her? Can you describe her?
Oldstad sighs as he turns away and begins to stare out the window, straight into space. "She must be different now. She
was so pretty." His eyes tear up as his face reacts to the pain of his recollection. "We used to just hold each other." He
pauses. Still he breaks down. He cries hopelessly as he tells him, "I was supposed to take care of her. She was my little girl,
ya' know?" As he calms himself a bit, he looks at Jerry Black again. He finally allows their eyes to meet when the absolutely
devastated Jim then asks Jerry, "Where is my little girl?" The tears begin to fall again. "Where's my baby?"
This character synopsis was written by K. Thompson feedback is greatly appreciated.
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