Devotion 4K 2022

"Devotion," directed by Justin Dillard, tells the story of two pilots, Jesse Brown and Tom Hadner, who serve in the Air Force during the Korean War. Brown is the only black pilot on the team and this causes some tension with his colleagues.

The script of this film can definitely be called one of the main controversial elements on the screen. It would seem that the authors of this film have a rich and interesting material on their hands. However, the authors of this film either take most of the screen time the story in a different direction, or the narrative simply tramples on the same place. The war itself is kept just barely by the author, the relationships of the main characters are also presented a bit superficially and dryly, and the overemphasis on the "non-acceptance" of the black pilot begins to get tiresome.

The directing also made a slightly ambiguous impression. On the one hand, Justin Dillard succeeded in dynamic moments and they were staged quite well. Qualitative visual effects also stand out. On the other hand, these very scenes are criminally few in the picture, and most of the screen time Dillard vainly tries to build up a drama. Stylish and atmospheric in terms of pictures, but completely empty on the level of feelings. Not to mention the fact that the picture seems eerily drawn out and cutting its narration by at least half an hour would have benefited the film.

That being said, it's definitely worth praising the excellent acting. In particular, Jonathan Majers and Glen Powell, who actually carry the entire film and show great on-screen chemistry.