As Fall begins, and with the big awards “heavy hitters” still a few weeks away, the multiplexes could use a good dose of “star power”. Or should I say “Pitt” power? Yes, the Oscar winner returns after burning up racetracks around the globe in F1: THE MOVIE. His newest release doesn’t try to emulate that one’s high-octane thrills and spectacle, nor its shiny CG sheen. Oh, but it’s not a “drawing room” drama, since it has lots of action, suspense, and unexpected “pathos”. It’s an offbeat “movie meal” crafted by Brad’s FURY director. This time they’re not steering another tank in WWII since they’re in the modern day as the duo, along with an amazing canine co-star, journey into the HEART OF THE BEAST.
After a brief fast-forward, we’re introduced to the story’s focus: retired Army Special Forces vet James Belmont (Brad Pitt) and his furry “brother in arms” combat canine Odin (Uber), a frisky, dark-haired German Shepherd. James has landed his single-engine floatplane on a lake deep in the Alaskan wilderness. It’s part of their “much-earned” “downtime” in order to deal with the aftereffects of wartime in the Middle East. Their shared wounds are both mental (PTSD flashbacks) and physical (“Odie” lost a leg, and both are scarred). Luckily, the fishing is great, and the quiet is calming…until a chatty hiker (J.K. Simmons) breaks into their solitary “bliss”. Over campfire beers, their “guest” warns James about a fast-moving storm. By morning, the duo is alone once more. Their supplies are loaded into the plane, and, using his piloting skills, the plane breaks past the dark clouds. Then, the unthinkable happens: James is struck with a health emergency (his “ticker” seems to be having an “episode”). They crash to earth, with the plane sinking to the bottom of a lake. After the two reunite, James retrieves some supplies. They’ve no choice but to hike through the wilderness, nearly sixty miles, to reach a road. Can these devoted friends survive the brutality of nature, the weather, and the wildlife before their supplies and strength run out? This could be the greatest battle these wary soldiers have ever faced.
It would be tempting to say this film is a “one-man show”, but really it’s a “one-human show”, with Pitt flexing his emotional acting chops as the “walking wounded” Belmont. For much of the story, he’s stoic, especially when interacting with the “interloper”. Oh, but Pitt “flips the switch,” giving us an energized and engaged James when bonding with Odie. Pushing past his “matinee idol” smoulder, Pitt exposes his vulnerable side when protecting and caring for his animal “soulmate”. It’s joyous to see him taking risky roles so many decades into his film career. Simmons provides some needed levity as the “party crasher’ who helps fill us in the “backstory” of JB and OD. As for the latter, Uber (and his team of stunt dogs and doubles) melts our hearts with his soulful, brown, watery eyes as the challenges of the trek reopen his own past traumas. He’s the “protector” that we’re rooting for James to protect and heal all of their pain.
The aforementioned director who worked with Pitt a dozen years ago is David Ayer. With this work, he’s coming off of a couple of well-received Jason Statham “bone-crunchers”. This one gives Ayer more of a challenge for his filmmaking abilities. He’s balancing the gorgeous scenery with several harrowing stunt sequences, while always reminding us of the emotional commitment in the story’s duo. Much of what works is due to the structure of the script by Cameron Alexander (one of the 2017 “Blacklist” screenplays). It combines elements of other great “sole survivor against nature” films like THE REVENANT and ALL IS LOST. Oh, but it’s not one “soul” since Ayer keeps us emotionally connected to Odin and his plight. The gorgeous location work, with New Zealand doubling for Alaska, almost makes us forget about the long trek…until Ayer reminds us with a raging river to cross and hungry wildlife ready to pounce. As if the incredible plane crash wasn’t enough for our heroes. This leads to a story problem for many who may have a tough time accepting Belmont’s stamina and strength sustaining him over his cardiac “glitch”. Maybe it’s his adrenaline “amping up” in response to the possible loss of Odie ( a little “suspension of disbelief” perhaps is warranted). If you can get past this, you’ll be rewarded with a journey full of terror and surprising tenderness. It’s this love and devotion that propels and powers the HEART OF THE BEAST.
2.5 Out of 4
HEART OF THE BEAST is now playing in theatres everywhere
