The Devil's Own
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Movie Reviews of The Devil's Own
Movie Review: FORD AND PITT!?!?!
Summary: 5 Stars
Saw it a week ago and must say it is good, but not great, but i give it 5 stars since i am a die hard fan of both actors. Watch Troy and StarWars if you want better movies from these actors.Movie Review: The Devil's Own
Summary: 5 Stars
I like to watch any H. Fords movies, I cant think of any movies he has been in that it was seen over and over agin.
L Sturdavant
Movie Review: If You Aren't Confused, You Don't Know What's Going On
Summary: 4 Stars
Francis 'Frankie' McGuire (Brad Pitt) is one of the most wanted IRA terrorists in Belfast, Ireland. He is wanted for the murder of several police officers and army soldiers, among others. But now his group is raising the stakes. They are no longer going to waste their time with guns - they are going for missiles. So Frankie heads to New York City under the alias Rory Devaney. An Irish judge sets him up to live with the O'Meara family, headed by Sergaent Tom O'Meara (Harrison Ford), one of New York's finest. As Frankie works to overhaul a boat and deal with the slimy arms dealer, Billy Burke (Treat Williams), he finds himself growing attached to the O'Meara family and wishing that he had the opportunity to lead such a life. When Billy Burke sends men to the O'Meara house looking for his money, Frankie knows that it is time to go before he ends up harming the family who made him a part of their home for a short time. But once Tom O'Meara discovers Frankie's real identity, he isn't about to let him go...I will be the first to admit that I didn't understand everything that was going on in the plot, but Brad Pitt's character said that "If you aren't confused [about the situation in Ireland], you don't know what is going on," and I found that to be pretty true for the whole story line. In fact, it was more of a slice of life and time passing than a story with an actual beginning and end. Aside from the plot, the movie really shines with the superb acting in the film. I truly cared for these characters, even though one of them was a terrorist shown killing several men. Harrison Ford was excellent as a cop who had to live with slightly tarnished honor to cover for his friend and he did a fine job portraying his character's inner struggle as he tried to decide what to do with Frankie. Brad Pitt was gorgeous, as usual, and I thought that his Irish accent was quite charming. Of course, I don't really know what a real Irish accent sounds like, but when Brad spoke in a soft, melodic ripple of sound, it convinced me. The supporting characters were also great, led by Margaret Colin, who played Sheila O'Meara, Harrison Ford's wife and his 'daughters' including Julia Stiles as Bridget, a snotty, always on the phone teenager who refused to admit she had a crush on Frankie, Ashley Carin as Morgan, who fell head over heels for Frankie and the charming Kelly Singer as Annie, who is the youngest and had the most interaction with the main characters. One of the best things about the film was the music, composed by James Homer. It was just beautiful and had a wonderful Irish feel to it to help draw you in. There is also a heartbreakingly beautiful song written and performed by Melissa Etheridge during the closing credits. I have to admit that the ending wasn't what I wanted it to be, but there really was no way to end this movie in a way that made it a happy "American" ending. As the movie ends, Frankie reminds us that it is an Irish story, not an American one - only American stories always have happy endings. All in all, the movie may be a bit muddled and perhaps could have been improved and cleared up, but I still think that this is a movie worth watching - especially if you are a fan of either of the leads.
Movie Review: A biassed image of the Irish struggle for freedom
Summary: 4 Stars
Ireland and the Irish have always been a mystery and this film looks at the fight for independence in Northern Ireland from both a sympathetic and hostile point of view. It sends a mixed message. On one hand it shows how the IRA is motivated into fighting by the atrocities they have lived for several centuries : rejection, assassinations, segregation, even apartheid because they are catholic and Irish by origin and roots. It shows the ruthlessness of the British forces, their principle that you do not have to capture opponents but to kill them since they are not fighting for their freedom but are only terrorists, a word that is used haphazardly and that excuses the protestant militias, the British secret services and even the British armed forces and police. On the other hand it is entirely biassed and only show how these IRA people are to be rejected and have to be rejected and tracked by normal people including normal Irishmen, particularly in the US. It is an Irish cop in New York who unknowingly lodges and covers the militant from Ireland with a pack of lies arranged by an Irish judge in New York too. The deal the Irish militant is in New York for gets sour and he has to clean up the plate of the arm-traffickers and smugglers. But then the British secret services and the FBI get into the picture. So the Irish NYPD cop tries to capture the militant himself to avoid his being coldbloodedly slaughtered by the British secret services. Hence the confrontation of the two. The NY cop has a duty, though he understands the motivations of his opponent, his alter ego. The militant has a duty too, and he will have to be killed not to perform it. And what has to happen happens. Though we are told it is not an American story (implied : that ends well) but an Irish ballad (implied : that ends in blood and tears), it is both an Irish ballad ending in blood and tears and an American story because the good ending is also a happy ending but for the British secret services and for the establishment that refuses any armed struggle against oppression and qualifies it as terroristic. Order is thus saved even if some millions of catholic people are still submitted to a century-old oppression by protestant foreigners.
Dr Jacques COULARDEAU
Movie Review: Very good, poignant.
Summary: 4 Stars
I saw this film in the theatres and liked it well enough. Seeing it again on DVD really helped my comprehension of it.I thought the story was told well. The filmmakers showed the contrast between the sad bitterness and violence that Brad Pitt's character endures (and embraces), and the warm loving home that Harrison Ford opens to him. We the viewers sympathise with Pitt's character, even though we know -- he's gone too far. Where can he go when he's already gone too far?
The story was well-told, the acting well-done. I am no expert on Irish accents, but I wasn't overly bothered with Brad Pitt's. I thought he did a fine job, in both his acting and his accent. Harrison Ford, as usual, gives an excellent performance. I wished I could have seen more scenes with Margaret Colin (who plays Ford's wife) because she's always good. Treat Williams did a fine job as a menacing arms dealer.
Special kudos go out to James Horner for the musical score. The first time I saw this film, I was so impressed by the music so I trotted out and bought the CD soundtrack; it's been one of my favorites ever since. Horner isn't always my #1 favorite film composer (but he's usually fine) but this beautiful Irish-themed score is something special. It supports the film admirably (which is the whole purpose of soundtrack scores) but is heart-wrenchingly exquisite to listen to on its own.
I recommend this film. Perhaps it has a few flaws, but I really enjoyed it (and was moved by it) the second time around.