Heart of the Beast

The movie opens with scenes of a small float plane wending its way through some majestic, remote scenery. In it are a recently retired Special Forces soldier and his also-retired combat dog Odin. They’re out for a little quiet time fishing after enduring battles that still give them both nightmares.

I don’t think it’s a spoiler to tell you that the plane crashes, because have you ever seen a movie open like this where it didn’t? They both survive and, after figuring out their position, begin a 100-km trek back to civilization. There’s not much of a story other than the predictable perils they face and overcome along the way. Surprise-free, yes, but never dull.

But this is less about their survival adventures, though these are filmed beautifully and effectively, than it is about the instinctual bond between the two. Brad Pitt is spot-on here, but the star that will stay with you is Odin (played by four animals: Uber and his offspring Seeka, Ryker and Hondo). I’m pretty sure there’s no Oscar for animal actors. But there oughta be.

Director David Ayer captures the unstated essence of this partnership to the point of bringing on (manly) tears. Ayer’s work here surprised me a tad, as he is better known for much cheesier action fluff. He also directed Pitt in Fury, back in 2014. Here his work is a bit experimental, but always sincere and grounded.

This is about the most soulful film about a dog since Old Yeller and is only marred slightly by the cornball decision to throw in the Northern Lights in a late scene. Dog lovers, of course, will want to own it. (101 min)