Potentially powerful drama gently smolders more then it actually ignites. With a powerful script and an amazing foursome of actors The Crossing Guard should have been a contender for one of 1995's best drama's, though a few elements get in the way of achieving this.
Sean Penn's sophomore attempt behind the scenes yields striking promise, though some scenes flow in a rather hit and miss way. You can see him starting to come into his own as a director, though at times his direction feels a little too obvious. Surprisingly the script is quite decent as well, producing it's fair share of memorable lines.
Nicholson, as usual in a film where he is the star, commands and demands nearly all the attention, though at times the over-reaching nature of his talents do begin to seep through the emotional core of this revenge-minded redemption picture.
Sean Penn's sophomore attempt behind the scenes yields striking promise, though some scenes flow in a rather hit and miss way. You can see him starting to come into his own as a director, though at times his direction feels a little too obvious. Surprisingly the script is quite decent as well, producing it's fair share of memorable lines.
Nicholson, as usual in a film where he is the star, commands and demands nearly all the attention, though at times the over-reaching nature of his talents do begin to seep through the emotional core of this revenge-minded redemption picture.