Unless you’re a history or aviation buff, the story of Jesse Brown and Tom Hudner is probably not something you know. The mention of those names would more likely evoke thoughts of a random unsung blues artist and the nefarious manager who bilked him out of his career earnings. Devotion aims to change that.
Devotion, based on the 2015 book Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice, tells the story of Brown’s (Jonathan Majors), the first Black aviator in the Navy, and Hudner’s (Glen Powell) unique relationship as both men fight to survive America’s least discussed war, the Korean War.
With similarities in time setting and main characters’ races, it’s fair to ask if Devotion follows the repulsive white savior trope that finds its way into well-intentioned films such as The Help, Hidden Figures, and Green Book. Thankfully, the work behind the cameras of Devotion saves it from the fate above.
The primary element that changes Devotion’s course is the script. With Brown being Black at a time and in an institution where being Black was a detriment, race is a big part of the story. However, writers Jake Crane and Johnathan A. Stewart use this as an opportunity to take an approach almost as unique as Brown and Hudner’s bond.
Where most films either lean into the racial dynamics of the day or avoid them altogether, Crane and Stewart find a middle ground. They crafted scenes that show race mattered and impacted Brown’s journey to and in the Navy, such as a revealing ritual that delves into Brown’s past and brush-ups with racists. Yet, they also include scenes that show Brown possessed intelligence and skills that proved he belonged with the best aviators in the world instead of a token Black pilot who needed to be rescued or taught.
That balance is just right for what Devotion aims to do because it doesn’t regurgitate parts of the story that are a given and instead uses that time to invest more in the development of Brown and Hudner’s bond. They hit a couple of tropes that usually come with films set in the armed forces, but the even storytelling makes that forgivable.
Director J.D. Dillard does his part to keep the focus on Brown and Hudner by moving the film at a pace that makes the Brown-Hudner relationship feel organic. He doesn’t rush the film to make it appear as if they became friends overnight. You learn about Brown and Hudner as they learn about each other.
Dillard is equally strong when it’s time to speed the pace up and it’s time for the aerial exploits to hit the screen. It’s a far, far, far cry from the wizardry we witnessed in Top Gun: Maverick, but he does some good things with a fraction of the budget. The shots in the flight sequences exhibit the skill an aviator must put into controlling the aircraft. The dogfights have minimal special effects, but they effectively recreate the danger the aviators faced in the war.
On the acting side, Devotion is the story of two men, but it’s really a one-person show and that person is Majors. He plays Brown similar to how he played Lovecraft Country’s Atticus “Tic” Freeman – a mix of brawn, brains, and heart. He’s confident in the jet but makes it very clear that Brown has an acumen that extends well beyond flying planes and into high-brow culture, such as foreign languages and art. His best work comes when he’s dealing with Brown’s humanity instead of his accomplishments, especially as he reflects on Brown’s past. He pairs well with Powell, and their chemistry onscreen reflects the Brown-Hudner relationship well, but Majors is who you come to the theater to see.
If a deep dive into the life of Jesse Brown and the trials he faced throughout his career is what you want, Devotion probably isn’t for you. Its strength lies in educating viewers about a bond and a hero that deserves more discussion. It’s simply a straight-laced military film focusing on friendship and loyalty instead of attempting to make a grand statement about race or wow you with spectacular effects and more than worthy of your time and money.
Comments