The film opens with a rather strange juxtaposition of two scenes. One features a group of grieving parents discussing how they have dealt with the loss of their children. The other features a topless stripper playing with fire. The Crossing Guard at its heart is how people deal with grief differently and the consequences those choices have for all. Some parents would prefer to pour their heart out. Others choose more destructive outlets, like patronize strip clubs. Jack Nicholson, the father of a girl killed by a drunk driver, spends some of his nights at strip clubs, while Anjelica Huston, the mother of that girl and Nicholson's ex-wife, spends time listening to those grief stricken parents pouring their hearts out. Like that opening juxtaposition the film's points are hit with all the nuance of a sledgehammer pounding in a nail.Therefore, little attention is paid to how Huston's character attempts to come to terms with the death of her child; instead, the focus is on how Nicholson destructively grieves for his daughter. Of course he wants revenge. And of course this quest for revenge, the film tells us, doesn't solve anything but only further eats away at him.Nicholson, who still seems to be in Joker mode from his stint in that role in the Batman franchise, is as over the top as one might expect. The character he's saddled with is a difficult one to play to be sure, but Nicholson makes his character so over bearing and indignant that his presence soon becomes toxic. Instead of exploring his character's inner grief and psychology the film would rather just show his temper tantrums. David Morse, as the drunk driver who killed Nicholson's daughter, is, by contrast, and surprisingly, shown as some kind of repentant saint. He knows what he did, feels terrible about it, and tries to communicate it to an obstinate Nicholson. But in general Morse isn't given much to do other than stare into space stoically. Huston, however, it must be said is quite good even if the film doesn't really care about her and only utilizes her to show how crazy Nicholson's character has become.The middle part of the film, where Nicholson parties with some strippers (including Three's Company's Priscilla Barnes) and Morse's character meets up with some bohemians, is a total bore. Another subplot of Morse falling in love with Robin Wright Penn adds nothing to the plot other than act as filler so the film can reach the standard 120 minute run time. Finally, the closing sequence of the film, which includes a chase (or in Nicholson's case a fast walk) through LA and ends with a kumbaya moment in a graveyard as the sun is slowly rising and the tedious score swelling, is totally ridiculous. What's most disappointing here is that at its core The Crossing Guard could have been a good film. Sean Penn has directed other fine films (especially Into the Wild) and Nicholson, at least prior to the '90s, is a first-rate actor. But totally lacking nuance in performance and story and weighed down by a miserable second half and a hokey conclusion renders this film instead largely a failure.

Legendary Actor Sean Penn's Criminally Under-Rated 'The Crossing Guard' is an astonishing, powerful Human Story, that leaves a terrific impact. And Acting Epitome, Jack Nicholson, is Mesmerising, as always.'The Crossing Guard' Synopsis: Freddie Gale is a seedy jeweler who has sworn to kill the drunk driver who killed his little girl.'The Crossing Guard' is unsettling, disturbing & dark. And that is its biggest victory, it treats this difficult Human Story with proper treatment & detailed execution. Penn's Screenplay & Direction, both, are exemplary. He has handled the film with majestic treatment & magnetic understanding. He's at the top of his game in here!Performance-Wise: Nicholson is mesmerizing. His performance as a father who's daughter was killed, is heartbreaking. Watch his breakdown sequence when he calls up his ex-wife, its haunting. Nicholson is an unmatchable, impeccable, flawless performer who's way above of any award. Anjelica Huston plays Nicholson's ex-wife & she's stunning. David Morse as the culprit, is extremely subdued & restrained. A graceful performance. Robin Wright Penn is efficient.On the whole, 'The Crossing Guard' is an astonishing cinematic achievement. Don't Miss It!

"Too slow!" "So boring!" "Why the heck is it called 'The Crossing Guard?'" I wonder how many viewers of The Crossing Guard (TCG) said such things because they viewed the same DVD edition I watched. I read the back of the DVD box afterwards, and I had to laugh. It seems to have been produced by people who have no idea what the movie's about. The box's lurid, breathless text markets this as an "action thriller", and makes it sound like a "Death Wish" or "High Noon" revenge showdown! A featured photo shows Freddy swingin' the chair.Although TCG revolves around revenge, and a gun features prominently, you almost won't know it. TCG is what you'd call a "literate drama." The revenge Freddy plans to exact is the story's driving force, but the bulk of the plot is character study and psychological drama, its two feet very much on the ground.Unlike some literate dramas -- ponderous, pretentious attempts at art, with static filming to match -- TCG has the goods. It's a sensitive, curious examination of a difficult main character and real-life subject matter. Since TCG gets quite disturbing at times, not least of all because of its broken, volatile, oft-unlikable protagonist, watching can be a challenge, but nonetheless it's refreshing to watch a complicated drama that doesn't push saccharine messages or pretend to have easy answers. It simply lets its characters loose to find their own way through a rather open-ended plot, and never loses sight of their humanity even while it acknowledges their awful acts. Stick with TCG and it will prove to be a rewarding film with both a mind and heart.The literary genre's artsiness and realismo -- "true-to-life" folks who are quirky but not really funny, half-heard scraps of conversation -- create a few annoying bits in TCG, but not enough to damage the proceedings. Bobby's long speech at the survivor's support group reflects the reality of inarticulate people who can't speak from a polished script, but it doesn't do much for the film. You'll just have to chuckle through TCG's candle-strewn "artists' party," of which only 10% of the dialogue makes a lick of sense. I admit that the John-Jojo relationship and pectoral-clutching push credibility.A better literate aspect in TCG is its humor, a pleasant surprise, especially coming from a writer/director better known for being humorless. When Freddy, falling apart from his rage, suddenly accepts the crowd's plea to join Mia the stripper on stage for a pole dance, it's remarkable, tense black comedy. Even better is when Freddy goes home with Mia, who surprises him by performing (and supposedly composing) a song for Freddy on her synthesizer decked out with blinking lights. Freddy just sits and watches in a stupor; whether it's from his booze or the music show is uncertain. In a Hitchcockian touch, a violent chase by foot detours into a city bus, and the participants must deal with bus fares, mistakes about the stops, and bickering passengers.

What a well-directed film. Anyone who says Sean Penn is a hack is full of it. This guy knows how to direct, there is no question about it. But what he is directing? That's another matter."The Crossing Guard" has way too many 'hollywood' elements for it's own good. Kind of reminded me of "21 Grams" in that way. Where "21 Grams" was a Hollywood-version of addiction, "The Crossing Guard" is a Hollywood-version of crime and punishment. There is no clear villain and there is no clear victim. I guess we are all victims, aren't we Sean? Okay, first of all why did Booth get out of prison for killing a girl while drunk driving and his friends throw him a welcome home party with alcohol being served? Only in Hollywood. We are given a small glimpse of Booth's character but not enough to really feel bad for him. Nicholson's character, Gale, is a real creep. He makes it pretty tough to feel sorry for him at all. So the viewer is torn, right up until the end of the movie. The ending throws you for an emotional roller coaster that will make some people laugh and no doubt make others cry, but it is definitely strange. A frantic Gale shooting Booth, then handing his gun over to him.Fine acting, fine directing, just not a great story here. Then there was Robin Wright. We loved you in "The Princess Bride" but please Sean, cool it with the nepotism: the part was useless and your lovely wife did not fit into it.5 out of 10, kids.