David Ayer’s HEART OF THE BEAST is a love letter between a person and their dog. Despite a slow first act, the film had my 18-year-old nephew and me crying by the end because we ❤️ dogs, and it has one lovable canine at its heart.
The reason behind those tears was Pitt and his dog, Odin, a retired combat dog. What truly sets the film apart is the dog’s perspective. This is the first time I’ve watched a movie show a dog’s PTSD, including the nightmares and flinching. This adds to the story’s dynamic later, when we see both Odin and Pitt survive incredible circumstances.
Where the film doesn’t work is that this is a pretty standard man and his dog against the elements that audiences have seen before (THE CALL OF THE WILD or TOGO). Also, the opening stretch should’ve been completely cut. Pitt and J.K. Simmons have an extremely talky exchange where they discuss a bunch of stuff that adds nothing to the characters. Had the film opened right into the action (see RESIDENT EVIL), Ayer could’ve shown audiences the characters’ nuances rather than tell it to them through two people just talk about who they are.
Final Thought: Despite some “ruff” spots, HEART OF THE BEAST gets to the heart of its audience, and for that it earns a round of “a-paws.”
It’s in theaters now.