In the movie, Jack Nicholson plays number one detective Jerry Black who is about to retire from the police department. But when a little girl is found brutally murdered in the snowy woods of his hometown, he makes a pledge to the parents that he will find the killer at any cost... even at the cost of his own insanity. I know I say this often about movies in this category, but in this case it's true. This is a very good movie. Why this was never really embraced by american audiences or critics is beyond me. The plot is not all that original, but the way the movie goes about it is excellent. Sean Penn has never directed a better movie, with his excellent camera angles, and his talent for setting the exact atmosphere. The results come are more than satisfying. He's able to make this movie a really surreal thriller, and as Jack Nicholsons character delves more and more into the brink of insanity, we go along with him on the ride. We're able to see into Nicholsons characters mind and psyche while we witness him attempting to capture the murderer. Throughout the entire movie, the filmmakers play with us, and towards the middle we're already asking ourselves, Is this murderer Blacks so determined to catch, real? Or is he just another product of Blacks insanity? This has to be one of Jack Nicholsons best performance in years. I couldn't have thought of anyone better to play this role. Nicholson is able to convey extreme and realistic human emotions while taking us through his head. He is the best thing in this movie. In the end our questions are finally answered when they come crashing down in a mind-shattering climax that will leave you breathless. I'm still waiting to exhale. (You don't actually think I'd ruin the ending for you, do you?)

The problem with this film is it tends to trail off from the actual plot and drags a bit in the middle. True it sets everything up for the crashing finale, but still, does it have to take so long? Another flaw was the fact that the ending is so confusing and annoying. I found it hard to figure out what was happening. Hours after watching this, I had to figure it out for myself. And I'll tell you this much, it wasn't easy. Some people may think the ending is bad, and some people might find it genius. Personally, I found it to be genius and very realistic.

A taut and thought evoking mystery that will deliver a shocking ending. Nicholson is at his best.