In "Devotion," directed by J. D. Dillard, there is a remarkable blend of historical accuracy and cinematic storytelling that transcends mere entertainment. This winner of the 2022 "Narrative Feature" Audience Award at "The Middleburg Film Festival" invites us into the captivating, charming, creative, compelling, and charismatic world of Ensign Jesse Brown, the first African American aviator in the US Navy.
There's something tragic about the film's box office performance. A budget of $90,000,000 yielding just under $22 million worldwide suggests a disconnect between the audience and the movie's subject matter. Was its November 23 release date poorly chosen? Or did "Top Gun: Maverick" steal its thunder five months earlier? We can only speculate.
Jonathan Majors gives a performance that's more than superb; it's transformative. As Ensign Jesse Brown, he captures the essence of youth and potential. Supporting him is Christina Jackson, as Daisy, Jesse's wife, who brings warmth and authenticity to her role.
Other cast members, including Glen Powell as Jesse's wingman Tom Hudner, and Joe Jonas, Thomas Sadoski, Nick Hargrove, Spencer Neville, and Daren Kagasoff, contribute in varying degrees, but none eclipse Majors' star turn.
Now, to the backstory. It's not just about Jesse Brown, the naval aviator; it's about Jesse Brown, the human being. The struggle to overcome racial barriers in his quest to join the school's aviation department paints a picture of an America grappling with change. His enlistment, subsequent admission to the aviation program, and historic achievement in earning his pilot's wings in 1948 is a story that transcends time and race.
"Devotion" achieves more than mere storytelling; it illuminates the human condition through the lens of history. Dillard's direction is precise without being pedantic, emotional without being sentimental. The handsome crew's performances, the intricate plot, the historical context-all of these elements come together to form a coherent and deeply moving picture.
In the end, "Devotion" is a film about courage, perseverance, and the triumph of the human spirit. Though it may not have succeeded at the box office, it is a film that succeeds where it matters most: in the heart and mind of the viewer. Like the character of Jesse Brown, it rises above its circumstances to achieve something timeless and universal.
We need more films like "Devotion." It's a poignant reminder of the struggles of the past and an inspiring illustration of the human spirit's capacity to overcome. If only more people had seen it. Perhaps in the fullness of time, this film will find the audience it so richly deserves. It's not just a film; it's a testament to human resilience, an ode to the dreamers and the doers, and a salutation to one of America's unsung heroes. "Devotion" resonates deeply, and its echoes will linger long after the credits roll.
There's something tragic about the film's box office performance. A budget of $90,000,000 yielding just under $22 million worldwide suggests a disconnect between the audience and the movie's subject matter. Was its November 23 release date poorly chosen? Or did "Top Gun: Maverick" steal its thunder five months earlier? We can only speculate.
Jonathan Majors gives a performance that's more than superb; it's transformative. As Ensign Jesse Brown, he captures the essence of youth and potential. Supporting him is Christina Jackson, as Daisy, Jesse's wife, who brings warmth and authenticity to her role.
Other cast members, including Glen Powell as Jesse's wingman Tom Hudner, and Joe Jonas, Thomas Sadoski, Nick Hargrove, Spencer Neville, and Daren Kagasoff, contribute in varying degrees, but none eclipse Majors' star turn.
Now, to the backstory. It's not just about Jesse Brown, the naval aviator; it's about Jesse Brown, the human being. The struggle to overcome racial barriers in his quest to join the school's aviation department paints a picture of an America grappling with change. His enlistment, subsequent admission to the aviation program, and historic achievement in earning his pilot's wings in 1948 is a story that transcends time and race.
"Devotion" achieves more than mere storytelling; it illuminates the human condition through the lens of history. Dillard's direction is precise without being pedantic, emotional without being sentimental. The handsome crew's performances, the intricate plot, the historical context-all of these elements come together to form a coherent and deeply moving picture.
In the end, "Devotion" is a film about courage, perseverance, and the triumph of the human spirit. Though it may not have succeeded at the box office, it is a film that succeeds where it matters most: in the heart and mind of the viewer. Like the character of Jesse Brown, it rises above its circumstances to achieve something timeless and universal.
We need more films like "Devotion." It's a poignant reminder of the struggles of the past and an inspiring illustration of the human spirit's capacity to overcome. If only more people had seen it. Perhaps in the fullness of time, this film will find the audience it so richly deserves. It's not just a film; it's a testament to human resilience, an ode to the dreamers and the doers, and a salutation to one of America's unsung heroes. "Devotion" resonates deeply, and its echoes will linger long after the credits roll.
