The Devil’s Own Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Brad Pitt, rocking a questionable accent, needs missiles, Harrison Ford needs a new roommate, and New York’s about to get a whole lot more Irish-y…in a very tense way.

🍿 The Devil’s Own: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Escape to America

Frankie McGuire (Brad Pitt), a dedicated IRA operative, finds himself on the run after a violent confrontation in Northern Ireland. He is tasked with traveling to New York to secure weapons, specifically Stinger missiles, for the IRA. To facilitate this mission, Frankie assumes the alias Rory Devaney.

An Unlikely Lodging

Through a sympathetic judge, Peter Fitzsimmons (George Hearn), Frankie/Rory is placed in the home of Tom O’Meara (Harrison Ford), an honest Irish-American NYPD sergeant. Tom, unaware of Rory’s true identity and purpose, welcomes him into his family’s home. This sets the stage for a complex dynamic, as a bond begins to form between the two men.

Converging Paths

As Frankie navigates the dangerous world of arms dealing, connecting with figures like Billy Burke (Treat Williams), Tom grapples with his own moral dilemma. His partner, Edwin Diaz (Rubén Blades), is involved in a questionable shooting, forcing Tom to consider compromising his principles. These parallel storylines gradually converge, leading to a dramatic confrontation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tom O’Meara (Harrison Ford): An honest New York City cop who unknowingly provides shelter to an IRA operative.
• Rory Devaney (Brad Pitt): A dedicated IRA gunman who travels to America to purchase weapons.
• Sheila O’Meara (Margaret Colin): Tom’s wife and a caring mother who is unaware of Rory’s true identity.
• Edwin Diaz (Rubén Blades): Tom’s police partner who struggles with the consequences of his actions.
• Billy Burke (Treat Williams): A ruthless American arms dealer who supplies weapons to the IRA.
• Peter Fitzsimmons (George Hearn): A seemingly respectable judge who secretly supports the IRA and provides aid to Frankie.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rory: “Don’t look for a happy ending. It’s not an American story. It’s an Irish one.” – Rory explains to Tom that his life and the conflict he’s involved in are not likely to have a neat resolution.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $90,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $42,868,348
• Worldwide Gross: $140,807,547

💥 The Devil’s Own Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘The Devil’s Own’ expecting an action-packed thriller. What I got was…complicated. Brad Pitt’s character is supposed to be this hardcore IRA guy, but then he’s bonding with Harrison Ford’s family and I started to feel bad for him? The ending made me sad because it felt like no one really ‘won’. The film had some really tense moments, especially with the weapons deal going south. Overall, it’s thought-provoking, even if it’s a bit of a downer.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt”
  • “Viewers interested in thrillers with moral dilemmas”
  • “Those with an interest in films depicting the Northern Ireland conflict”
  • “Audiences who enjoy character-driven stories over heavy action”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Terrorism”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Though boasting star power, ‘The Devil’s Own’ struggles to balance action and political commentary. Ford delivers a steady performance, but Pitt’s accent wavers, undermining the character’s intensity. The film’s attempts at moral complexity get bogged down in thriller conventions.
• RogerEbert.com: “Ebert criticized the film’s confused loyalties and simplification of the Northern Ireland conflict. While acknowledging the actors’ efforts, he found the storyline contrived and emotionally unengaging, leaving the audience uncertain about whom to root for.

Audience Reactions

The moral ambiguity kept me guessing until the very end.: Viewers are generally split: some find the conflicting loyalties compelling, while others find it frustrating and muddy.

Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt gave stellar performances.: Many agree that the acting elevated the material, even if the story itself was flawed.

Overall Consensus: A flawed but compelling thriller with strong performances, though its political themes are divisive and the ending unsatisfying for some viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Brad Pitt famously called the film a ‘disaster’ and ‘the most irresponsible bit of filmmaking’ he had ever seen. He wanted to leave the project but was threatened with a $63 million lawsuit.”
• “The original script was discarded, and the film underwent at least seven rewrites, leading to significant on-set conflicts and a final product that Pitt felt was a ‘mess’.”
• “Rob McElhenney had a small role in the film as a bartender, but his scenes were cut, marking a ‘humiliating and terrifying’ early experience in his career.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Devil’s Own?

The Devil’s Own is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or purchase it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for broadcast availability. Some platforms may require a subscription or a one-time purchase fee.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Devil’s Own, you might like these similar films:

• Patriot Games (1992): Features IRA terrorists as antagonists and explores similar themes of political violence impacting personal lives.
• Michael Collins (1996): A biographical drama about a key figure in the Irish struggle for independence, offering a more historical and political perspective on the conflict.
• The Crying Game (1992): Explores the complexities of the Irish conflict with a focus on the human relationships and moral ambiguities involved.
• State of Grace (1990): Features Irish-American gangsters in New York, offering a similar exploration of Irish identity and criminal activity in America, though with a different focus.

🛒 The Devil’s Own Related Products

• The Devil’s Own (Blu-ray): Experience ‘The Devil’s Own’ in high definition. Relive the drama and intensity with superior picture and sound quality. This Blu-ray edition enhances every scene, making it a must-have for fans of the movie.
• Irish Flag: Show your Irish pride with this high-quality Irish flag. Perfect for displaying at home or at events, this flag is a symbol of heritage and culture. A meaningful way to connect with the film’s Irish themes.
• Brad Pitt Movie Collection: Get a collection of Brad Pitt’s best movies. This collection features Pitt’s finest performances. Perfect gift for Brad Pitt fans.
• Harrison Ford Action Pack: Own a piece of cinematic history with the Harrison Ford Action Pack. This bundle includes iconic films. Showcases his versatility and enduring appeal.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Devil’s Own features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “God Be With You” – performed by Dolores O’Riordan
• “Gonna Fly Now” – performed by Bill Conti

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Brad Pitt talks to critic Joe Leydon about “The Devil’s Own”

Ever wondered how Brad Pitt mastered that Irish accent in ‘The Devil’s Own’? Check out this interview where he talks about it, plus working with Harrison Ford – it’s really interesting to hear his take on the whole experience!

My Little Armalite – The Irish Brigade

Want to see how ‘The Devil’s Own’ stacks up against other movies featuring the IRA? This compilation puts some iconic scenes side-by-side, and honestly, it’s pretty fascinating to see the different approaches.

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