animal heart
Director: David Ayer
Mould: Brad Pitt, JK Simmons, Anna Lamb and Uber as Odin the Dog
Rating: ★★★★
You know he’s seen better years. Now you can see graying hair. The weight of the world is in the eyes. And yet, the raw magnetism remains. He gives a performance that will make you laugh, cry and even happy in the theatres. But that’s enough about Uber, who plays a dog named Odin David Ayers Heart of the Beast. Not many people can steal the spotlight from Brad Pitt in a movie that’s almost 90% the same Brad Pitt. But Uber manages it, and even the superstar himself won’t complain. Heart of the Beast is that rare human-animal bond film that doesn’t bother with anything dreamy or sentimental. It takes you into the middle of a crisis that leaves a man and his dog with nothing but each other. Aided by excellent cinematography and a compelling score, this impeccable survival thriller rests on the shoulders of the excellent Brad Pitt and Uber, which is sure to convert any non-dog lover.
Base
Brad Pitt plays James, a retired American Special Service soldier who now explores the Alaskan wilderness with his battle-injured command dog, Odin. Both of them reach some secluded forest in their seaplane. But on the way back, James suffers a heart attack, and they crash-land in a forest full of bears and wolves, miles from civilization. Now both of them will have to rely on their wits and skills to navigate this dangerous terrain and save themselves.
a wonderful production
Technically speaking, Heart of the Beast is a brilliant production. Mauro Fiore’s cinematography plays with light and shadow so beautifully that it makes the woods and forest almost a character in the story. The deftness with which he and director David Ayer depict claustrophobia and PTSD with close, compact shots is admirable. Also noteworthy is how the film addressed the PTSD that dogs, especially those who have served in the military, feel. Her nightmares and tremors are addressed before James even arrives, reminding us that often our canine companions are going through the same turmoil as we are.
Jared Michael Fry’s score compliments all this, making even the most mundane scenes spectacular. The score of the plane crash and climactic scenes turn Heart of the Beast into a cinematic experience. And then there’s Dodi Dorn’s editing. No stray shots, not a single sequence that goes on too long. At 1 hour, 41 minutes, Heart of the Beast never lags, never drags, and never lets you go. It is not relentless, as it has its moments of pause and reflection. But it’s still a crisp package that doesn’t waste your time.
brad pitt and uber show
Years ago, a friend commented that actors like Brad Pitt suffer from being ‘too good looking’. He argued that the focus was on his looks and his art was often ignored. One viewing of Heart of the Beast confirms this. Brad Pitt is a brilliant actor, not often discussed among the great actors of his generation. In this film, where he is on screen for almost every minute of the runtime, he gives a performance for the ages. In a film with little dialogue, the actor conveys emotions through his eyes and body language, even using the modulation of his voice to great effect. In some scenes, her crying, screaming and laughter mesmerize you, making you journey with her character, feeling what she feels.
And then there’s Uber. As Odin, James’ loyal companion, the German Shepherd is as skilled as he is adorable. The close-up shots of his eyes and face convey more than most actors today. Thanks to her trainer and handler for how they trained her to perform physical action sequences, especially a fight sequence at the end. He’s the heart of this movie, and he moves you too.
JK Simmons comes in a cameo where he makes his presence felt, and Anna Lambe also does justice to the narrative, in a brief role.
very special
Maybe the movie hits harder when you are, or have ever been, a pet parent. But I think you don’t need to have a dog at home to express the feeling that Heart of the Beast conveys. At its core, the film is about unconditional love and our responsibility for the emotional well-being of those who depend on us. This is a tribute not only to serving dogs but also to the soldiers themselves. Yes, the dog doesn’t die (not a spoiler, the director already revealed this), but the climax of Heart of the Beast will still break you. But then again, aren’t movies supposed to make you feel? It definitely does! Don’t miss it.