Devotion (2022)

By Gregory Gilston, Esq.

A beautifully told tale of a forgotten war, Director J.D. Dillard’s Devotion is a true story about the development of an unlikely friendship in a time where political, military, and racial tensions were at their peak. Based on the book of the same name, this reality-based war-hero drama centers on Ensign Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors), the first Black pilot to earn his wings in the U.S. Navy’s basic flight training program. As the plot develops, Brown forms an unlikely bond with fellow naval aviator Lieutenant Tom Hudner (Glen Powell) in the early days of a war that puts both their training and personal relationships to the test. This compelling story about two elite aviators offers a unique opportunity to explore the military experiences of one flight crew from two very different vantage points.

Set in the 1950s, Devotion is inspired by the global threats of the Second World War, at a time when the U.S. Navy welcomed a surge of aviators ready to fight for their country and their NATO allies. After five years of peace, a true conflict is growing at the North and South Korean border, and duty calls once again. As America prepares itself to enter yet another war, this time in Korea, the assigned pilots of the VF-32 squadron begin testing out the Navy’s new arsenal in their weaponry: the F4U-4 Corsair aircraft. And while the fighter pilots of VF-32 squadron advance on their journey toward becoming combat ready, Brown and Hudner navigate their own partnership as the first Black and white wingman duo in naval aviation history.

Make no mistake: it’s Jonathan Majors’ incredible performance as Ensign Jesse Brown that drives this film. There’s a lot of emotional complexity to Brown’s compelling military journey. Brown’s character development embodies overwhelming resilience and provides a realistic lens into the personal struggle of a Black soldier in the 1950s military.

Devotion kicks into high gear in the second half of the film, with impressively choreographed aerial combat sequences. It’s really a spectacular score, elevating the best scenes into crowd-pleasing actionpacked fight scenes, like any Hollywood classic should.

Though Devotion is a tale of two heroes from America’s “forgotten war,” the stories of these men won’t soon be forgotten. Furthermore, the dialogue is riveting, with deeply empowering messages drizzled throughout the entirety of the film. If you are into wartime movies or cultural time pieces, you will surely enjoy this movie.