It has been twelve years since director David Ayer and actor Brad Pitt last worked together on the 2014 war film Fury. That film told the story of Staff Sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier, a battle-hardened U.S. Army tank commander during the final weeks of World War II, played by Brad Pitt. It seems fitting for Ayer to tell this new story because it follows what happens after James Belmont, a retired Army Special Forces officer, steps away from the modern battlefield—also played by Brad Pitt. Now add Odin, his retired Combat German Shepherd, to the mix, and you have the makings of a deeply touching film.
James and Odin are enjoying their retirement together. He can fly a small plane to some very remote places in Alaska. They’re fishing, taking in the sights, even meeting an unexpected eccentric camper named Watkins (J.K. Simmons). He is only with them for an evening, but Watkins asks enough questions to help fill out some of James and Odin’s backstory for the audience. In short order, something goes horribly wrong, and James and Odin are forced to get themselves out of the trouble they’re in. Be/cause there’s no way to reach anyone to let them know where they are for a rescue, they have to walk and hike 58 miles to civilization. We get to watch and feel every one of those miles with them.
Academy Award-winning cinematographer Mauro Fiore’s cinematography is spectacular. There’s no green screen; the actual Alaskan wilderness is the other co-star in this film. However, if you ask Brad Pitt, he says the real star of the film is the dog, especially one called Uber. He was Odin #1. Several dogs helped to play the role, but Uber was the one who could emote and break your heart with a look.
The film does an amazing job capturing how James and Odin worked together and had to depend on each other to survive not only their current situation but also the battles they faced in combat.
A standout for this film is Brad Pitt’s performance. He says more in this film with a glance or quiet resignation than most actors can do with a whole page of scripting. The director has been quoted as saying, “Brad is someone who forgoes his own comfort to get inside the world and get inside the character. This film was not about hanging out in the trailer and being warm. It’s about being cold and miserable on set every day. He went through extensive survival training in preparation. The physical struggles we see on screen are real. He’s living this, he’s experiencing this, he’s doing this. The survival crap you see in the film is all accurate.”
I give Heart of the Beast 4.5 stars. It’s a beautiful film about the love and bond between a man and his dog, which becomes a survival story that will make you feel the pain they endure in the remote Alaskan wilderness. This is a must-see film this season.
Directed by: David Ayer
Written by: Cameron Alexander
Rated: PG-13
Selig Rating: 4.5 Stars
Running Time: 1 h 41 min
Drama, Action, Adventure
Wide Release: In Theaters September 25th
Starring: Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons, Anna Lambe
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.