THE DEVIL'S OWN
1/2
Joshua Wan
Directed by: Alan J. Pakula
Produced by: Columbia Pictures
Cast: Harrison Ford (Tom O'Meara), Brad Pitt (Rory Devaney/Francis "Frankie" McGuire), Margaret Colin (Sheila O'Meara), Treat Williams (Billy Burke)
Run Time: Approx. 111 Minutes
Rating: ***1/2 out of *****
A family sits down to dinner when suddenly the door is flung open and the father is shot in cold blood in front of his family. The son, carrying with him the memory of the massacre, grows up to be a driven and very capable terrorist (played by Brad Pitt). With a group of like-minded comrades he wreaks havoc on the war-torn streets of Belfast , waging a hate-driven war against the British Army. He does it so well that he eventually has to leave the country for his own protection from the authorities who are doggedly on his trail. He is sent to New York where he is to procure weapons for his group and while there, is placed by a corrupt Irish judge in the home of honest and unknowing Irish cop Tom O'Meara ( Harrison Ford) and his family.
O'Meara (who is also an Irishman) and his family embrace Rory (Pitt) and a bond is forged between the two men. Rory's eyes are opened to the warmth of a loving family and the relationship with a father figure that he never knew growing up. He truly respec ts Tom and the good life he has made for himself and his family. This is the dream life that he is fighting for back in Belfast, for him and his people.
Conflict ensues when the negative element (brutal arms dealer played by Treat Williams) tracks Rory to Tom's home because of a deal gone awry. The tranquility of the O'Meara household is shattered, and confrontation between Tom and Rory follows.
It's an interesting story on many levels. The relationship between Rory and Tom- both strong willed men of integrity and fierce loyalty, walking opposite paths because of where they grew up- is the most interesting thing to watch. Harrison Ford is excelle nt as O'Meara, upright cop/ family man and the perfect foil to Pitt's cold, callous killer. This is no heartthrob movie, the two roles are devoid of any leading man image and Pitt is especially convincing as the conflicted youth with the thick Irish accen t.
Director Alan Pakula (ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, THE PELIKAN BRIEF, PRESUMED INNOCENT) tells this rather complex story with great skill and perspective. He avoids ramming the anti terrorism message down the viewers' throat yet brings out the irony of strivi ng for peace using violent means. The movie on the whole feels long, but its a very satisfying length. The two leads are among the most watchable actors today and credible supporting performances by Margaret Colin, Ruben Blades and Treat Williams take the movie up a notch.
The Flying Inkpot Rating System:
* Wait for the TV2 broadcast.
** A little creaky, but still better than staying at home with Gotcha!
*** Pretty good, bring a friend.
**** Amazing, potent stuff.
***** Perfection. See it twice.
Joshua Wan plays jazz piano and watches a minimum of 6 hrs of tv a day.Read other movie reviews at the Inkpot
Other film reviews by this writer can be obtained from the InkVault by doing a key word search with this writer's name.Other film reviews by other writers can also be obtained from the InkVault through key word searches.
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