Question 1

Why was 'The Pledge' a passion project for Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson, and how did it get made?

Accepted Answer

It was a passion project for producer and director Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson, but the screenplay was turned down by every major studio. Producer Elie Samaha's Franchise Pictures picked it up, signing Penn and Nicholson for a reduced fee with Penn having complete creative and casting control.

Question 2

What surprising connection does a photograph of Jerry Black have to another Jack Nicholson film?

Accepted Answer

The photograph of Jerry Black (Jack Nicholson) as a younger man is the same one used in 'The Shining (1980).'

Question 3

Which festivals and awards recognized 'The Pledge'?

Accepted Answer

It was featured at the Cannes Film Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Stockholm International Film Festival, and International Film Festival Rotterdam, and received an award from the National Board of Review.

Question 4

What is the central plot of 'The Pledge'?

Accepted Answer

A police chief, about to retire, pledges to help a woman find her daughter's killer.

Question 5

Who played Jerry Black's secretary Jean, and what is her real-life connection to the director?

Accepted Answer

Jerry Black's secretary, Jean, was played by Eileen Ryan, who is Sean Penn's mother.

Question 6

Why was 'The Pledge' a passion project for Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson, and how did it get made?

Accepted Answer

It was a passion project for producer/director Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson, but every major studio rejected the screenplay. Producer Elie Samaha's Franchise Pictures picked it up, signing Penn and Nicholson for reduced fees with Penn getting complete creative and casting control.

Question 7

Which festivals and awards recognized 'The Pledge'?

Accepted Answer

It was featured at the Cannes Film Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Stockholm International Film Festival, and International Film Festival Rotterdam, and received an award from the National Board of Review.

Question 8

What is the central conflict in 'The Pledge'?

Accepted Answer

A retiring police chief pledges to help a woman find her daughter's killer.

Question 9

What literary and cinematic connections does 'The Pledge' have?

Accepted Answer

It adapts a Friedrich Dürrenmatt novel based on his story for the German film 'It Happened in Broad Daylight' (1958), which had a less bleak ending and featured Gert Fröbe as the murderer.

Question 10

Who played Jerry Black's secretary Jean, and what's her real-life connection to the director?

Accepted Answer

Jean was played by Eileen Ryan, who is director Sean Penn's mother.

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The Pledge

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