Korean War epic emotional, fitting tribute to real-life men
J.D. Dillard’s 2016 breakout feature film “Sleight” was a low-budget gem that showcased what this up-and-coming filmmaker could do. In his follow-up film (he has spent a few years directing TV), the Korean War epic “Devotion,” the budget may have gotten bigger, and the sumptuous, soaring visuals more spectacular, but the emphasis on character remains the same.
That makes “Devotion” an emotional and fitting tribute to the real men behind the incredible true story: Lt. Tom Hudner and Ensign Jesse Brown. Their experiences in the Korean War are detailed in Adam Makos’ 2014 book, “Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice,” adapted for the screen by Jake Crane and Jonathan A.H. Stewart. Glen Powell, who has cornered the market on playing wingmen this year with “Devotion” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” plays Tom Hudner; the remarkable actor Jonathan Majors plays Jesse Brown.
Working with cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, Dillard creates an aesthetic for “Devotion” that harkens back to classic war films: the pilots’ Brylcreemed coifs gleam against their leather bomber jackets; their shiny new Corsair planes sweep triumphantly through the clouds of coastal New England during their training flights. Tom, a Naval Academy graduate, is antsy to prove himself. Jesse, the Navy’s first Black pilot, just wants to fly.
Jesse also wants to settle his young family down, and going to combat is the exchange he makes for doing what he loves for
work, despite the worries of his wife, Daisy (Christina Jackson). Bachelor Tom’s still searching for what he’s fighting for. He thinks it’s a woman, but finds that his purpose in combat is right next to him, in his friend Jesse.
“Devotion” takes its time building the world and the characters within, which proves to be crucial motivation for the aerial action that takes up the second half. Crane and Stewart’s script is refreshingly restrained: It shows us the characters in natural conversation as they work together and avoids telling us everything with clunky exposition.
We understand the racism that Jesse has experienced through tensions with the Marines aboard their aircraft carrier, and an anecdote he relates to Tom about the grueling, unfair swim test he was subjected to in the Navy.
At the same time, Jesse has become an important symbol — for the Navy, for the nation and for the Black sailors who run to the deck to watch his every takeoff and landing. Jesse, who keeps his emotions close to the vest, is uncomfortable when a Life magazine photographer wants a photo shoot of him, but
he is quietly moved when one of the Black sailors presents him with a Rolex watch that they went in on as a token of their appreciation.
Powell, with his sharp all-American profile, fits the bill of a clean-cut New England pilot from privilege, and the supporting cast, including Joe Jonas, Spencer Neville and Nick Hargrove as the other pilots, bring some personality to the posse. Thomas Sadoski is particularly great as their no-nonsense but empathetic commander. But the performance of the film is Majors, who always makes the unexpected and interesting choice.
Tonally, “Devotion” remains steady, never going for over-the-top emotion or sensation, simply seeking to express something authentically moving and human. It achieves that in spades, delivering a stirring story of friendship during war, and beyond, that is both rare and real.
MPAA rating: PG-13 (for strong language, some war action/violence and smoking)
Running time: 2:18
How to watch: In theaters