THE DEVIL'S OWN (1997) *** Either beautifully or poorly timed piece has a lot to say about The Troubles, but does so superficially in a manner calculated for an American audience. There's even a 45 second romance. So it didn't have to be a good film and could have easily gone the wrong way. Instead it's carried well by its stars. The danger in casting was definitely that Brad Pitt would blow Harrison Ford off the stage, but it's a danger avoided largely by Ford's credible portrayal of a NYC cop always a step or two behind the judge, his partner, or Pitt. In other words it looks like Pitt is more compelling because, as an IRA mastermind, he's supposed to be that way. Alan J. Pakula helps even things out further by ensuring that Pitt has his hair combed and lit just so during the most meaningful verbal exchanges (or even worse, the immoving jaw line shot). The chemistry between the stars is good if not quite what's demanded for the climactic scenes, and Pitt's Irish brogue sounds good to me if occasionally stoned. Oh yeah, like those IRA guys never inhaled. Ultimately leaves everyone entertained, and novices drawn by the stars with a better sense of a situation that is where, as described by Pitt, "if you're not confused you don't know what's going on."