"It's not an American story.  It's an Irish one."      

THE DEVIL'S OWN (R) 

In The Devil's Own, Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford star as two Irishmen from completely different worlds.  Frankie McGuire (Pitt) is an IRA Unit leader from Belfast--a man who as an eight year old boy witnessed the murder of his father and has lived a troubled life ever since.  Tom O'Meara (Ford), on the other hand, is a New York police sergeant--a man with a wife, three daughters, and a stable life distanced from the turmoils in Ireland.

How the two eventually meet is a matter of chance, with a mutual acquaintance convincing O'Meara to host the young McGuire at their New York home.  Unfortunately, O'Meara is unaware of McGuire's activities within the IRA, and more significantly does not know the purpose of McGuire's visit to the United States (a deal to purchase and return a set of missiles to Ireland).  What unfolds is a story about two men who develop a friendship that turns into conflict.  O'Meara, who at one point tells his police partner "we're in the police business, not in the revenge business" befriends a man who (unbeknownst to him) lives a life driven by anger and revenge.  When McGuire's enemies eventually catch up with him in New York, the ensuing conflict erupts in O'Meara's home, with each man then acting on their perception of "what is right."

All the philosophy aside, The Devil's Own is an interesting film starring two very accomplished actors.  Amidst the violence presented in this film (and there is some violence) is a quiet but powerful treatment of the roots of people's actions.  Ford and Pitt are also both excellent in this film, with neither actor ever upstaging the other.  Unfortunately, there's a bit of "drag" that occurs in the first hour of this film, and although things do pick up in the latter half, some "attention deficit" damage does take hold.  Overall, The Devil's Own is a good but not great film--go see it if the subject matter or the actors interest you; otherwise, feel free catch it on home video.

Responses from cyberspace--as always, thanks for writing!

lucasman@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "This is the best movie for a rainy afternoon...You have to fall into the character of this movie to really appreciate it. **Do not see this movies without surround sound, you'd be ruining the opening gun shoot-out**" (12/1/98)

cus55@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars. (7/3/98)

David gives this movie  stars: "A very good film. Brilliant performances by Ford and Pitt (I liked his accent ! It was very very good!) The movie makes you feel for both sides. Brad Pitt with the IRA who want their land back, and Ford who is just doing his job and stumbles across Pitt. The performances, plot and everything about this movie was good!" (1/24/98)

bab424@ramail.angelo.edu gives this movie  stars: "I think this was a great movie with two awesome actors. Although the majority of movie critics didn't like it. I don't understand what was so bad." (4/21/97)