Hoo: Patriot Game/Devil's Own

These two films attempt to portray the men of the Provisional Irish Republican Army in two very different lights. The core difference between the two films lies in how the filmmakers want the audiences to interpret the antagonists. In the 1992 film Patriot Games the character Sean Miller is presented for the most part as a pure antagonist. “Patriot Games had boldly presented the I.R.A. in an unflattering light, and Politically Correct forces began to attack the script’s allegedly right-wing tone. In fact, wile the I.R.A. is not painted in a glowing light, the story emphasizes that the terrorism is being caused by a splinter faction which the I.R.A. itself condemns” (Pfeiffer 202). Although the antagonist was part of a splinter faction, masses tend not to conduct extensive research on political issues like this one. I find that a great many of the audience members left the theaters with contempt for the I.R.A. Although Sean Miller’s struggle for vengeance stems from the fact that Jack Ryan killed his brother, he is portrayed as a pure antagonist. The frame I attached demonstrates the point that Sean Miller is to be viewed as a villain. While Miller is training in Libya it is obvious that he supposed to be evil. He is the last one to stop firing, showing his obsession with killing Ryan. Even though his is being advised to leave as the British Special Air Service is approaching to attack the camp he is persistent with shooting the target. The loose framing shows all the room he has to escape and how it seems not to matter to him. The desert color and backdrop demonstrates that this setting is of people hostile to the U.S. At the time the U.S. was involved in Operation Desert Storm and the desert was seen as the home of the enemies.

On the other hand, The Devil’s Own portrays a member of the IRA whose antagonist status is far more ambiguous. Frankie McGuire witnessed the murder of his father at the age of 8. This is the hardship that motivates him to commit such violence.  The audience does have sympathy for him, as besides the fact that he kills people he seems to be a good guy. The frame I chose demonstrates the complexity of his character. As the gunmen are leaving the house he backs up with his hands up. The high key lighting almost appears to be spotlight on him. This shows that the heat is all on him. Although his body language shows that he doesn't want any trouble, the stark contrast between him and his shadow demonstrate that his dark side will always follow him. Also, he is placed in a corner to show how he is stuck between these two lives.