"Heart of the Beast" is heart-wrenching – and gut-wrenching
A dog is man's best friend. In "Heart of the Beast," this cliché is the central theme. This largely quiet adventure film leaves no one cold.
No worries: The following film review contains no spoilers. I won't reveal anything more than what is already known and visible in the trailers. «Heart of the Beast» hits theaters on September 24th.
«I hope you have your tissues ready», writes my colleague Aline before I watch «Heart of the Beast». After seeing the trailer, she is very worried about the fate of the dog in the film. And honestly, I feel the same way. Whether those worries are justified or not, I won't reveal here, of course. In any case, Aline's tip about the tissues was worth its weight in gold, because I definitely needed some...
What it's about
James Belmont is a former Special Forces officer. He and his friend Odin, a highly trained military dog, have experienced the horrors of war firsthand and long for peace and quiet. They find both during a trip deep into the Alaskan wilderness – at first. Because what begins with «grilling, chilling, and killing beers» quickly develops into a survival trip. After a plane crash, the two set out on the long and arduous journey back to civilization. In doing so, they must face the numerous dangers of the wilderness. They cannot rely on any technical or digital aids; James and Odin only have themselves and each other, but they have plenty of that.
Source: Paramount Pictures
From popular script to successful film
The script for «Heart of the Beast» by Cameron Alexander was on the annual list of the most popular yet unproduced scripts in Hollywood in 2017. A few years later, David Ayer («Suicide Squad») was commissioned to film the material. The lead role went to Brad Pitt, with whom Ayer had already worked on «Fury». Pitt also co-produced the film with his company, Plan B. Alexander, Ayer, and Pitt—these three shall stand here for everyone involved who did an outstanding job on «Heart of the Beast».
The film makes it easy to understand why Cameron Alexander's script was so highly sought after. In his execution, David Ayer focuses on his strengths as a director, which already distinguished him in End of Watch. He stages the struggle for survival of James and Odin in a gripping yet realistic way, at times almost documentary-like. He succeeds in providing an unvarnished look at the dangers that can threaten in the Alaskan wilderness (New Zealand had to serve as a «double», as that is where most of the filming took place). In doing so, he avoids—apart from two failed CGI instances—any sensationalism. The film doesn't need it anyway; the beautiful landscape shots and the relentless forces of nature are impressive enough.
Source: Paramount Pictures
Brad's partner with the cold nose
Gripping direction aside, breathtaking nature notwithstanding, «Heart of the Beast» lives and functions primarily because of its lead actors. The film rests on the shoulders of Brad Pitt and Uber—that's the real name of the dog who plays Odin—and both master this task brilliantly.
The chemistry and bond between human and animal are right and feel completely natural. I also buy the war-damaged and survival-focused ex-soldiers from both of them at any time—even when they startle at night because they are haunted by the past in their sleep. Brad Pitt delivers another strong acting performance. In Uber's case, it likely helped that he is a retired trained search and rescue dog.
Source: Paramount Pictures
With films like «Heart of the Beast», it's a tricky thing. Animals immediately trigger my empathy and awaken my protective instinct. On the other hand, there is quickly the danger that the plot drifts into the silly or kitschy. David Ayer does not make this mistake. Sure, the story of James Belmont and Odin resembles an emotional roller coaster ride that brings me to tears. Yet the film doesn't really push the tear-jerker buttons; it manages without exaggerated pathos. It tells the adventures of the two in an unforced and organic way, so that the emotions come up all by themselves while watching. And that is great cinema. Tissues included.
Source: Paramount Pictures
In a nutshell
There is not a dry eye in this struggle for survival between human and animal
A man and his dog fight for survival in the harsh wilderness. This setting repeatedly reminded me of Jack London's novel 'The Call of the Wild', which has been adapted for the screen several times. No, 'Heart of the Beast' does not reinvent the adventure film genre featuring animal protagonists, but it does enrich it. Because at the same time, it is so much more: a declaration of love for the friendship and loyalty between human and dog. As the owner of four cats, I almost feel a sense of envy.
'Heart of the Beast' manages the feat of triggering big emotions without slipping into kitsch. It owes this to the two uninhibited lead actors, Brad Pitt and Uber, and the unpretentious direction of David Ayer. He has shown a fine and restrained touch – allowing the story to fully unfold its dynamics.
Gripping, shocking, sad, and bittersweet – that is how 'Heart of the Beast' can be summarized. And in the end, the heart remains in the title, because this film has plenty of it. It is not just pet owners who will see it that way. Guaranteed.
I'm a full-blooded dad and husband, part-time nerd and chicken farmer, cat tamer and animal lover. I would like to know everything and yet I know nothing. I know even less, but I learn something new every day. What I am good at is dealing with words, spoken and written. And I get to prove that here.
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