Conference bookie::movies

933.0. "The Crossing Guard" by TROOA::BUTKOVICH (blink and I'm gone) Tue Sep 12 1995 12:07

    The Crossing Guard (**** out of *****) - Saw the N.A. Gala on Sunday   
    night - Sean Penn is the writer and director of this movie, and he was   
    there, as well as one of the actors, David Morse (you may remember him   
    from St. Elsewhere).  Sean didn't have much to say - he mentioned that   
    Jack was sorry he couldn't be here, but that after doing 3 film   
    festivals in a row, he was partied out. That would be Jack Nicholson,   
    who gives another stellar performance (sure to win him another Oscar   
    nomination). The cast also includes Angelica Houston, Robin Wright and   
    smaller cameo roles by Robbie Robertson and Davie Baerwald. I am   
    frankly amazed that Penn is the creative force behind this movie. He   
    never seems to show any emotion, and this is a movie full of drama and   
    painful emotions.  Nicholson plays Freddy Gale, a man in the grip of an   
    overwhelming desire for revenge.  He has spent the years since his   
    divorce hanging out in a strip bar, waiting for the prison release of   
    John Booth (Morse), the man who has torn his life and that of his   
    family to pieces.  He intends to kill Booth and tells his
    ex-wife (Houston). He is haunted by his dreams of revenge.  Booth,
    meanwhile, slowly re-acquaints himself with life outside the prison
    walls. His parents are overjoyed to welcome him home, and he slowly
    embarks on a relationship with a painter (Wright).  It isn't long
    before Freddy's anger and John's guilt come face to face. The
    writing, acting and  directing of this movie are all excellent and a
    bonus for me was the  main soundtrack song which is by Springsteen.
                          

    
    
        Saw the preview of this movie when renting "Bed of Roses" (I Think)
    and thought it looked really interesting.  So we rented it the next
    night, and I have to agree with the base note, 4 out of 5 stars. This
    is a must see film.  Great acting, very interesting study of two
    lives.  There is also a very good song in the movies' soundtrack by
    Jewel.
    
    
    
                                                    jt
    

    
    Saw it over the weekend, thought it kinda dragged along in parts,
    especially the last half of the movie. Interesting place(s) he hangs
    out at.....I was surprised at Sean Penn writing/directing this. I
    didn't see him in the movie though....
    
    

    
    I also saw this one last night.  I thought it was good, powerful
    performance by Nicholson and Huston.  Didn't really understand
    the reason for calling it the Crossing Guard, aside from the fact that
    was his role in his re-curring nightmare.
    
    Also, at the end, there is a dedication to someone from S.P. (obviously  
    Sean Penn) and it says "I Miss You".  Anyone know what this is all
    about??
    
    
    CF