Heart Of The Beast Story
James Belmont (Brad Pitt), a former Special Forces soldier, chooses to retire and retreat to the Alaskan range with his only companion, Odin (Uber and other stand-in dogs). Odin, a German Shepherd, has fought alongside James at warfronts and has suffered gravely due to several years in combat. He has three legs and is seen wearing a prosthetic fourth. Even his jaws have titanium replacements, given all the lost teeth. With nothing and no one to look back at, James wants the quiet life with Odin and together, the two navigate the testing terrains of Alaska on their seaplane, while bonding over their shared trauma. But an unfortunate crash forces them to embark upon a tedious trek across the hills in order to make sense of any civilization. Hard obstacles await them along the way.
Heart Of The Beast Review
Defying his own reputation of having helmed action thrillers and cop dramas in the past, director David Ayer, who also dons the hat as a co-producer besides Pitt, pushes all the buttons to deliver a poignant story of unconditional friendship, under unfavourable and unlikely circumstances. Written by Cameron Alexander, the film chronicles James’ and Odin’s adventure from a week before Odin is found on the highway by a passing stranger, played by Anna Lambe.
The cinematography by Mauro Fiore, is particularly commendable. Although, the ranges of Queenstown, New Zealand pose as the Alaskan wilderness, the frames captured, beautifully essay the film’s lighter moments, when James and Odin are seen fishing for salmon and enjoying Belgian brews by a cozy bonfire. James gets company briefly as he is joined by mountain stranger Watkins (J.K Simmons). It’s when adversity strikes, do proceedings thicken with Jared Michael Fry’s score serving as the perfect accompaniment to James and Odin’s resolve.
Some thrilling moments of confrontation involving a bear, a pack of wolves and the beastly nature of a rushing, erratic river, are brilliantly staged, using VFX. As you stay seated watching the lead pair endure injury and relive the horrors of their past warfront combats, you get the occasional, uncomfortable shots of cracked bones and open wounds.
Despite a predicably, linear story-telling, ‘Heart Of The Beast’ largely impresses owing to the infectious chemistry shared between Pitt and Uber. Editor Dody Dorn retains Uber’s best reaction shots for Ayer to ably convey the language of a dog’s unquestionable love and loyalty. Even though Pitt is effective as the worn out but determined James, who seems well-equipped to survive any location and situation as long as his supplies haven’t run out, it’s Odin’s expressive eyes that draw out the waterworks.
Heart Of The Beast verdict
Independently, both canine dramas and survival thrillers have their fan-following. When the two come together, you get an experience worth visiting your nearest screens for. ‘Heart Of The Beast’ is that. Don’t forget to carry your tissues along.
