3. The Crossing Guard (Dir.: Sean Penn, 1995)
Written and directed by Sean Penn, this emotional gut-wrencher explores the notions of grief and vengeance which features superb performances. After spending five years in jail for the drunk hit and run of a young girl John Booth (David Morse) is released from prison. He is still racked and tormented with guilt and tries to get on with his life. He meets JoJo (Robin Wright, Penns wife at the time) and begins a romance with her but is still haunted by the girls death. Freddy (Jack Nicholson), the girls father hears Booth is released and vows to murder him in revenge. Morse a wonderful character actor who has appeared in the likes of
The Rock and
The Negotiator gets a rare lead role where he demonstrates what an undervalued actor he is. Morses Booth is a man so broken with guilt and remorse he waits patiently and acceptingly for Freddy to kill him. His scenes with Robin Wright are heartfelt and pure. The relationship between Nicholsons and Angelica Hustons characters is so intense and their shared history is palpable (helped no doubt by their real-life relationship of nearly 15 years). A scene where the estranged couple attempt to reconcile is an acting master class that perfectly encapsulates their relationship tenderness and love that shattered by rage and tragedy. The film is really shepherded by an acting tour de force from Nicholson. Like,
The King of Marvin Gardens, or
The Pledge (another under-appreciated collaboration with Sean Penn), or
About Schmidt, Nicholson is most effective when he is
not playing Jack Nicholson. The arched eyebrows, cheeky grin and maniacal laugh are nowhere to be found. Nicholsons Freddy is on a path of self destruction caused by the grief of his daughters death. Nicholson is tragic, volatile, repugnant and heart-breaking. It is repeatedly over-looked in the legendary actors body of work which is near criminal. Penn alludes to capital punishment (as does his performance in
Dead Man Walking which was released the same year). Freddys vengeful quest is almost as destructive as the grief he feels. He knows the killing of Booth will give him no release or peace yet it is consumed by it. However
The Crossing Guard is not a message movie. The film is about very real human beings dealing with very real emotions and tragedies that exist in everyday life. Penns willingness to let the actors tell the story with truth and heart is what ultimately makes this film utterly gripping.