Devotion
Sony Pictures ReleasingAfter impressing many so far with smaller works Sleight and Sweetheart, J.D. Dillard gets the biggest platform of his career to date with Devotion. Bringing the true story of Jesse Brown – one of the first black fighter pilots in the Korean War – to life, Devotion is an above-average war film that embraces unique and poignant messages of racism and self-identity alongside the more traditional story beats that are sure to leave fans of the genre moved and satisfied.
There is no getting around that the performances are a major reason why Devotion works to the degree it does. Jonathan Majors continues to deliver stunning effort after stunning effort, with Devotion being no different. While a force of love and charisma, Majors also brings a tremendous vulnerability and emotional power to the role. It is within his character and performance that the complications of identity come into the project. Though Brown is being acknowledged and celebrated as a sign of needed diversity, these words feel cheap when he still is forced to accept and deal with racism from those who work around him. He cannot ignore or simply move on from the pain and suffering that has been put onto him. Despite making it to the other side, he is a tortured and scared soul that brings a gravitas to the entire project that exceeds the normal explorations of the genre and is a sign of true inspiration within the screenplay by Jake Crane and Jonathan Stewart.
Brown’s relationship with Tom Hudner (Glen Powell) becomes the foundational dynamic of the feature, with Powell turning in yet another strong performance after his star-making turn in Top Gun: Maverick earlier in the year. While Powell has far less to work with than Top Gun: Maverick, he still has plenty of charisma and his emotional ability does get to shine towards the end of the feature. The other key relationship for Brown is with his wife Daisy (Christina Jackson), who fills her role competently even if there is little to remark on when it comes to going above and beyond the expectations of what she represents within the film.
The emotional beats outside of the film's conversation on race are equally competent. For fans of the genre, it is rather predictable how this story is going to go even if one is unaware of the real-life history involved. While this is far from enough to ruin the project, tears will still flow from many with the predictable beats still landing as designed, it does ultimately lead to a feature that at times can struggle with building energy and hooking audiences who are wanting more from a narrative like this. It doesn't help that the pacing is rather awful, with the film ultimately failing in building a strong pathway to a conclusion. There are incredibly similar issues plaguing the third act of both this and Top Gun: Maverick. The other major fault would be some of the casualness of various tragedies throughout the film. The feature, at times, pokes holes in its own hull letting much of the natural weight of events leak out due to an all-around lack of venom or grief.
While these narrative faults are clearly present, the technical ability of the film is equally obvious. The visuals are incredible with some of the best visual effects and cinematography of the genre in recent memory. Erik Messerschmidt follows up his impressive work in Mank to craft a stunning portrait of aerial combat and the magic of flying through open blue skies. The editing by Billy Fox is similarly strong. These are fundamental elements that help raise Devotion to a higher level than other cheaper entries into the genre that can often feel like filmmakers going through the motions to get a cheap emotional reaction and box office. Both in front and behind the camera, there clearly is an effort to make Devotion more than just another war film which is something the feature overall succeeds with.
Especially for fans of the genre, Devotion is sure to be a rewarding watch. While there are fundamental flaws in story and pacing, this is an overall captivating feature that sees a strong emotional backbone help lift the film's overall value. Though predictable, it is hard to say that the film is not satisfying and it is easy to imagine most audiences walking away from Devotion happy with the project.
