The Crossing Guard (1995)
Average Rating: 6.5/10
Reviews Counted: 28
Fresh: 21 | Rotten: 7
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 6.4/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 2
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 7,157
My Rating
Movie Info
Sean Penn wrote and directed this tale of loss, guilt, and revenge. The daughter of Freddy and Mary Gale (Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston) was killed by a drunk driver, John Booth (David Morse). The death of their child took a heavy toll on the Gales; their marriage broke up, and, while Mary has remarried and attempted to put her life back together, Freddy has become an embittered alcoholic, seething with directionless rage and searching for a purpose in life. Freddy intends to kill Booth as
Nov 15, 1995 Wide
Nov 16, 1999
Miramax
Watch It Now
Cast
-
Jack Nicholson
Freddy Gale -
David Morse
John Booth -
Anjelica Huston
Mary -
Robin Wright
Jojo -
Piper Laurie
Helen Booth -
Richard Bradford
John Booth's father -
Priscilla Barnes
Verna -
Nicky Blair
Himself -
-
Hadda Brooks
Piano Player -
-
Elizabeth Gilliam
Little Asian Girl -
Jason Kristofer
Bus Passenger -
-
Jeff Morris
Silas -
Eileen Ryan
Woman in Shop -
John Savage
Bobby -
Grant Show
Jake Hanson -
Joe Viterelli
Joe at Bar -
-
Kari Wuhrer
Mia -
Erin Dignam
Peter's Guest 1 -
-
Gene Kirkwood
Swinger -
-
Robbie Robertson
Roger -
Richard C. Sarafian
Sunny Ventura -
Matthew Ryan
Twin Boy -
Jennifer Leigh Warren
Jennifer -
Penny Allen
Woman on Bus -
Jeremiah Birkett
Jefferey's Boyfriend -
Michael Ryan
Twin Boy -
David Baerwald
Peter -
Kellita Smith
Tanya -
Michael Abelar
Bum -
Buddy Anderson
Buddy -
Bobby Cooper
Coop -
Lisa Crawford
Cop -
Dr. William Dignam
Crossing Guard -
Christel Ehde
Dancer -
Ryo Ishabashi
Jefferey -
Dr. Edward L. Katz
Eddie -
Jay Koiwai
Asian Man -
Ruby McKoy
Deputy Sheriff -
Randy Meadoff
Bus Passenger -
Daysi Moreno
Freddy's Chicana -
Hanna Newmaster
Little Girl -
Kamala Petty
Dancer -
Millicent Sheridan
Dancer -
Joi Travers
Dancer
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All Critics (44) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (8) | DVD (3)
The movie is dramatically shapeless and pretentious too, but as director, Sean Penn gets powerful performances from his central trio: Nicholson, Anjelica Huston, and David Morse.
So-so character study directed by Sean Penn, featuring Jack Nicholson, Robin Wright.
Thoroughly uneven yet mostly compelling...
I came to value the clumsy moments in which Penn seemed to be groping for truth and meaning along with the characters.
Moving, unpredictable and psychologically complex.
Deep, dark and memorable.
Haunting character study by Nicholson in a grim, effective film.
Sober, serious and rough. Nicholson's in rare form.
Wonderful drama about loss with powerful performances
Audience Reviews for The Crossing Guard
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"Some lives cross, others collide."
The Crossing Guard is far from a great movie, but it still has its moments of power. This is easily my least favorite Sean Penn directed movie, but the other three I've seen from him were all very good. The story here isn't very original, nor are the characters or anything the characters say. If I was struck by anything while watching this film it was how cardboard cutout everything seemed.
Freddy is a divorced, alcoholic jeweler who has never been able to get over the death of his daughter Emily. Emily was killed by a drunk driver years earlier and Freddy and his then wife Mary end up separating not too long afterwards. Freddy and Mary had two boys together too, but Freddy hasn't been around them much, especially since Mary had gotten a new husband. When the drunk driver is released from prison, Freddy goes to him and tells him he has three years to live. We learn through events that John Booth(the drunk driver) is not a bad guy, and that he is very sorry for what he did. After watching the film for an hour, you'll actually like John and hate Freddy.
The performances were so-so. Jack Nicholson has been much, much better, but he isn't bad. I expected a lot more from him, and this movie, based off of Penn and Nicholson's other work, The Pledge, which was a masterpiece. David Morse is also just okay as John Booth. The women probably give the best performances in the film; those being Anjelica Huston and Robin Wright.
Obviously when you see Sean Penn's name and Jack Nicholson's name, expectations are going to be high. This isn't at all a terrible movie, but it is more bland then you would like. There's a few scenes that make the movie worth watching, but I wouldn't ever say this a must see film. In fact, if you're going to skip any of Sean Penn's directorial outings, make it this one. Overall, I was disappointed with this film as a whole. It could have and should have been so much better.