By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
"HEART OF THE BEAST"--A SURVIVOR'S BEST FRIEND
Lately, moviegoers have been inundated with horror films and comic-book sequels, which certainly isn't a bad thing, but there haven't been nearly enough man-and-his-dog survival movies.
That's what makes
"Heart of the Beast" such a welcome, refreshing, and exciting change of pace.
Directed by
David Ayer ("A Working Man" and "The Beekeeper") from a screenplay by music-video director
Cameron Alexander, "Heart of the Beast" is a rugged adventure, an emotional portrait of two battle-tested companions and, at its heart, a story about an unshakeable bond that refuses to break even when everything around them does.
Brad Pitt ("F1: The Movie" and "The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth") stars as Special Forces officer James Belmont, a haggard, world-weary soldier who, along with his best friend, a combat German Shepherd named Odin, finds himself facing an entirely different kind of war when a heart attack strikes while he is piloting a seaplane, causing it to crash in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness. Suddenly stranded in the middle of nowhere, James and Odin have no choice but to rely on each other as they attempt to make their way through the brutal, 58-mile terrain and find a way to survive.
These two aren't simply owner and dog; they're brothers-in-arms who endured the horrors of combat together and understand one another without saying a word.
No matter how hard they try, neither James nor Odin can escape the horrors of their past, especially when night falls and they retreat to their tent. The vicious images of war return in the form of PTSD, robbing them of any real peace as they awaken from their nightmares and cling tightly to one another for comfort.
What begins as a desperate attempt to escape the wilderness soon becomes a profound test of their physical endurance, emotional resilience and, most importantly, the extraordinary bond they share.
Pitt does a terrific job conveying James' affection and fierce protectiveness toward Odin, while the dog communicates volumes with a glance, a growl, or a simple nudge against his master's side. Their attachment gives the movie an emotional foundation that makes every danger they face feel more immediate. When one is threatened, the other doesn't hesitate, and that unwavering loyalty becomes just as important to their survival as any weapon or survival skill.
The film also gets a chance to lighten the mood when J.K. Simmons' character crosses paths with James and strikes up a brief conversation over a couple of cold beers. It's a welcome bit of levity in a movie that otherwise spends considerable time putting its characters--and the audience--through the wringer.
Simmons brings an easygoing charm to the encounter, giving viewers a brief opportunity to catch their breath before the wilderness once again becomes a formidable adversary filled with obstacles seemingly waiting around every corner, from a gigantic grizzly bear to packs of wolves, and unforgiving weather. Yet, with every mile they travel, their resilience shines through.
"Heart of the Beast" goes beyond the expected survival tropes by showing viewers, through flashbacks, the toil and sacrifice soldiers endure long after they've left the battlefield.
With "Heart of the Beast," Pitt delivers one of his most endearing and complete performances, stepping outside his usual comfort zone and embracing a role that demands both physical intensity and emotional vulnerability. He captures the pain, exhaustion, and peril of James' ordeal with impressive conviction.
Yet, even with Pitt delivering such a committed performance, the real superstar here is Odin. One look into those big, expressive brown eyes and it's nearly impossible not to fall in love with him.
And near the end of the movie, when Odin finds a welcoming stranger, Anna Lambe ("The Social Reckoning" and "North of North"), the connection they form brings a satisfying, emotional, and heartwarming payoff.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"HEART OF THE BEAST"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
