1.   De Niro plays his role with less-is-more stoicism, wearing a grim, fixed expression through a gauntlet of harrowing situations.

2.   Els faced a far less harrowing situation at the Buick open Friday, but he responded with similar coolness.

3.   Keeping up with developments in Afghanistan required endless patience and occasionally thrust reporters into harrowing situations.

4.   Whitaker was waving his checkbook, but the Cases resisted, saying they wanted the people in more harrowing situations to have the first crack at the money pool.

5.   Yes, another stroke of good luck for a pro sports team in a harrowing situation.