On D List of Movie Reviews
(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)
The Devil's Own (1997)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
7/09, 3/22
7/09:
The Devil's Own is a weak film in spite of having Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt on board.
The script is underdeveloped. At the same time, the pace is somewhat slow as Alan J. Pakula tries to build up the tension.
Rubén Blades and Treat Williams may have been miscast. Of course, sympathy is brought out en masse for Brad Pitt's character
because he's a handsome guy. What if it's Sean Bean instead? It'll change the perception completely.
All in all, whatever The Devil's Own had tried to do,
Patriot Games already did it in a convincing manner.
3/22:
There's a lot of star power in The Devil's Own: Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt.
My opinion is better now. It's an absorbing drama with a strong direction by Alan J. Pakula, the final film
of his career before passing away the following year. Also exiting the Hollywood business, Gordon Willis, the Prince of
Darkness, handles the cinematography work with ease, but this time, he may have overdone the daylight scenes by adding a dark
layer. When it's night, everything looks great.
As handsome as Brad Pitt is, here's the trouble: his character, Frankie/Rory, killed eleven police officers, thirteen
British soldiers, and many others. So, why am I supposed to have feelings for him? Had it been a different
actor like Sean Bean of Patriot Games, everything immediately changes. Hence, Frankie wants to confuse everybody
with his justification talk.
Tom O'Meara (Harrison Ford) sure cares about Frankie a lot but not his former partner who's killed by Frankie.
Some loyalty he has. By the way, why did O'Meara ask for Eddie's help in the first place after he's so righteous and then
dismissed him for killing an unarmed criminal in cold blood? It ruins his credibility.
Another negative is the long running time. It should be twenty minutes shorter. O'Meara's world is small given that he's
a cop with no friends other than Eddie. Also, he doesn't think of his wife and daughters while in pursuit
of Frankie which may cost him his life.
All in all, thanks to the strong performances by Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt, The Devil's Own is a decent picture
that takes the time to tell a good story.