Devotion Review: A Respectful Last Flight For A Forgotten Hero
© Provided by ColliderFor viewers who love movies about high-flying pilots and war tragedies, 2022 offers a trio of army dive and creepy crawlies set in various battles and the war games that come with them. Top Gun: Maverick was a wonderful sequel, All Quiet on the Western Front was the ultimate war horror, but with Devotion you get an aerial story and a heartbreaking biography reminiscent of the loss of the real war.
Based on the true story of naval aviator Jesse Brown , the title Bhakti might not immediately make sense, but as the story progresses, we begin to see the layers of different forms of devotion. Jesse ( Jonathan Mears ) is devoted to his job in the Navy, devoted to his wife Daisy ( Christina Jackson ) and their daughter Pam, both of which are the most anticipated types of devotion. But at the heart of the film is Bhakti's exploration of her unlikely friendship with wingman Tom Hudner ( Glenn Powell ) and how that relationship has shaped her memory in the current decade.
The dedication to the Korean War doesn't get bogged down in politics, but instead hopes that the audience will understand the broad lines of the Cold War, the Soviet Union, and the struggle between North Korea and South Korea, knowing enough about the conflict of the war. Although this Korean War has a direct impact on modern warfare, it is regarded as the "forgotten war" and to some extent both helps and hinders it.
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JD Dillard approaches the story of Jesse and Tom with great respect, but he's not tempted to disguise the situation or embellish the run-of-the-mill story of Adam McCos' book of the same name. The experienced Jesse was the first black man to graduate from the US Navy's basic flight training program. Credited with breaking barriers, he was featured by the Associated Press and photographed for Life magazine. But he's also faced racism — from neighbors, colleagues, and other soldiers sent to war. Dillard gets away with the tragic heroism of a changed mind, there is no more magic, and Tom doesn't count as a hero just for being good friends with Jessie. It's an unusual and welcome step in a long list of biographies that don't honor their subjects.
The dedication could be the subject of comparisons between him and Maverick , which would not be entirely fair given that Powell returns to Airman for the second time this year and his story follows familiar rhythms. But warfare or various war games rarely deviate from the planned path. Aside from a few notable bits, the stark contrast between the two ruins what Bahti wants to be. With the emotional power Dillard Majors brings to the role, Powell leans not into philosophy or grandiosity, relying instead on the sincere compassion he brings.
The only place where Bhakti really lacks perfection is in the day-to-day cinematography, which works against the film's setting. Cannes is beautiful, with blue skies and rows of pastel architecture, but other than that the other sets are faded and made for Technicolor. Cinematographer Eric Messerschmidt (The Standard ) may have intended this as a 1950s romp, but unfortunately it shrouds the scenes in needless darkness, which detracts from the emotional vibrancy on display.
Despite an impressive cast that includes Darren Kagasoff , Nick Hargrove , Joseph Cross , Spencer Neville and Joe Jonas (to name a few), Bhakti doesn't take the time to round out her ensemble and overlooks some much-needed connective tissue. I was quick to deliver a decent 139 minute story. While it doesn't really detract from the plot of the film, it leaves the viewers craving for more thrills, even if they mourn the brutal ending of the film. Most of screenwriters Jack Crane and Jonathan A. Fell on the shoulders of Stewart , who approached the story from over a thousand feet. In the end, it works to get the audience from point A and B to point C, but leaves me wanting to see a more interesting and entertaining Kanye, who is sadly hampered by the realities of war.
Bhakti wouldn't be half a film without Major and Powell at the center of the thrilling roller coaster ride, a dynamic duo effortlessly belying a camaraderie and brotherhood that inspires everyone to embrace their mission and make a home of distinction. They capture Jessie and Tom's relationship that transcends their own deaths and deliver a performance worthy of their legacy.
While Bhakti does not attempt to reinvent the genre, it has carved out a place for itself in this year's impressive list of war films. It's a strong, no-nonsense story that doesn't stray from the realities of war or the 1950s. When he gets his wings in the final act, he ascends to a place of true power.
Grade: B+
Bhakti will hit cinemas on 23rd November. Check out our interview with Jonathan Mears and Glenn Powell below:
