After a harrowing plane crash, Special Forces veteran James Belmont and his combat dog, Odin, find themselves stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Together, they are forced into a brutal fight for survival against the elements.
Chuck says:
Ignoring W.C. Fields’ advice about working with children and animals, Brad Pitt does the latter in “Heart of the Beast,” an engaging and surprisingly moving survival tale that finds the movie star sharing the screen with a very expressive dog. Actually, it’s four dogs but the primary canine who has the most screen time with Pitt, manages to be nearly as emotive as his human co-star. This is not a dig at the Oscar-winner but rather a tip of the hat to the four-legged thespian.
The premise of Cameron Alexander’s script is a model of simplicity. Retired Special Forces veteran James Belmont (Pitt) has set out to find solace in the wilds of Alaska. With his trusty pooch Odin by his side, they fly into the most remote area, content to while away their time fishing and communing with nature. Through flashbacks we see that they are both suffering from PTSD. Their physical and psychological scars run deep, yet the bond they have, forged in combat, is unbreakable.
Unfortunately, their sense of solace is broken by an unexpected storm. Though they’re able to pack up and take to the air, Belmont suffers a heart attack mid-flight. Incapacitated, their plane drops from the sky, crashing in a lake. Both injured, man and beast must now come together to hike nearly 60 miles to the nearest road, a trek that will test their mettle as they deal with the unpredictable elements, rugged terrain, a curious grizzly and a tenacious wolfpack.
Essentially a two-hander – rather, one hand and one paw – director David Ayer keeps things moving at a brisk pace, the pair stumbling from one dire situation to another. Yet, Alexander’s script wisely devotes ample time to the bond between the two leads. Flashbacks inform us of their combat experiences while their current trials exemplify again and again the loyalty the exists between them. None of this is done overtly, with sentiment kept at a minimum. Actions speak louder than words, the affection between Pitt and his co-star obviously genuine with no exploitation of it needed.
Equally effective is the depiction of the arduous trials and brutal conditions Belmont and Odin must contend with. The New Zealand locations used to stand in for Alaska are, of course, gorgeous though that belies the danger they contain. Raging rapids, steep inclines, freezing rain and dangerous swamps must be dealt with, while a sequence in which the pair must fight a group of ravenous wolves is a truly harrowing moment.
Far from a simple boy’s adventure, this is a sincere testament not only to the unbreakable bond that exists between a human and their dog but to the many combat canines that have served. This is dramatically driven home during the final moments of the film’s third act in which the depth of the connection between these soldier’s is laid bare. Belmont expresses his admiration and love for Odin in the most unexpected of ways, Pitt wisely underplaying the moment to poignant effect. Don’t be surprised if you shed a tear or two as this plays out.
With its simple premise and charismatic stars, it would have come as no surprise if “Heart” was nothing but a simple adventure. Credit Ayer, Alexander, Pitt and Odin for delivering so much more, a genuinely moving experience that speaks to the special connection that can exist between man and beast and the immeasurable impact that can have on our lives.
3 1/2 Stars
