Dürrenmatt’s “Pledge” extracts the best from Hollywood
More than 10 years after his death, Swiss author Friedrich Dürrenmatt is taking Hollywood by storm. His novel "Das Versprechen" has been turned into a new thriller - "The Pledge" - starring Jack Nicholson and Vanessa Redgrave.
If the critics are to be believed, Dürrenmatt’s work certainly brings out the best in people. Nicholson’s performance has been described as the best of his career, and director Sean Penn has been earning accolades for his “best work”, too.
Nicholson plays the role of Dürrenmatt’s detective, who makes a pledge to a mother that he will unearth the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death.
The detective’s quest was first portrayed on the screen in a 1959 production of the novel, starring Gerd Fröbe and Heinz Rühmann.
The remake will no doubt draw criticism for failing to live up to its predecessor, but the cast at least should live up to expectations, starring heavyweights such as Benicio del Toro, Sam Shepard, and Mickey Rourke.
“The Pledge” is Nicholson’s first film since “As Good As It Gets”, for which he received an Oscar.
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