DEVOTION

US, 2022, 140 minutes, Colour.

Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell, Christina Jackson, Thomas Sadowski, Joe Jonas, Nick Hargrove, Thad Luckinbill, Joseph Cross, Serinda Swan..

Directed by JD. Dillard.

In many ways, the Korean War of the early 1950s has been if not forgotten, frequently overlooked. This film is a tribute to the pilots.

At the time, there were a number of films dramatising the war in Korea. One of the effects of the aftermath, was the experience of many of the soldiers taken prisoner being brainwashed by the authorities – dramatised most alarmingly in the film versions of Richard Condon’s The Manchurian Candidate.

This is rather a long film but fairly straightforward in its presentation. It was released soon after the delayed release of Top Gun: Maverick and its enormous popularity around the world in 2023. This film also has a great deal of aerial training, aerial combat.

The film also focuses on a particular squad, assembled when the war in Korea seemed imminent, trained to participate, the planes themselves and their technology, various manoeuvres, the techniques for landing on the aircraft carriers (and a sequence where one pilot fails).

At the centre of the film is Jesse Brown, an African-American pilot, in fact, the first African-American pilot – some very personal scenes with his wife and daughter, his friendships within the squad, his place in the mission, and his crash and death. His played by Jonathan Majors. The other central character is played by Glen Powell (prominent in Top Gun: Maverick). A more sympathetic character and performance than his dealings with Tom Cruise!

The film develops in generally expected ways, except for an interesting interlude where the pilots are on their way to Korea and have some leave in Cannes. Jesse Brown experiences quite some prejudice, even from fellow military, and from the staff at a casino – but, this is overcome somewhat because of his encounter with Elizabeth Taylor (in fact 18 that the time in 1950) who invites him to come to the casino as her guest.

There is a scene at the White House where President Truman makes his military awards, and Jesse Brown’s wife is present.

The devotion of the title refers to the commitment of the members of the Armed Forces to the United States. But, with the personal touch, it also highlights the devotion of friendship, and, at the end in a final letter, the devotion of Jesse Brown to his wife.

1. Korean war memoir? The central characters? Real? Photos during the final credits?
2. The title, the war situation, the military services, the Navy, pilots, devotion to their work, America? On the personal level, personal devotion between husband and wife, friends?
3. The military theme, the aftermath of World War II, five years of peace, the beginning of the Cold War, Russian hostilities, Chinese hostilities, the Korean peninsula? The war, combat, American commitment? Training, action, crashes and deaths?
4. The introduction to Jesse Brown, African-American, initial reaction to Tom Hudner, cold? Thawing, friendship, working together, the training, the exercises, friendships and the team, the commander? The prospect of going to Korea? The experience of racism by the Navy man, Tom intervening? His personal life, his wife, daughter, the scenes at home, the prejudice of the neighbour, complaining about the noise, the police visit? The bond between husband and wife, and his going into action?
5. The importance of the racial issues of the period? African-American service during World War II, lacking recognition on return? Jesse Brown as an exception as a pilot? The admiration of the other African-American crewmembers?
6. Tom Hudner, background, skills, initial encounter with Jesse Brown, friendship, sharing, Jesse’s dangerous landing, trying again, succeeding? Standing up for Jesse against the racist taunts?
7. The aerial sequences, dramatic, skilled? Landing on the aircraft carrier? The continuation of the action sequences throughout the film, in Korea? The bombing of the Chinese? Jesse and his crash, Tom going to the rescue, the helicopter, the timing, unable to release Jesse, his death? Tom and his talking to Jesse’s wife, the final words for her?
8. On the way to Korea, the leave in Cannes, in civilian clothes, the other sailors, the encounter with Elizabeth Taylor, her friendliness, lack of racial prejudice? The invitation to the casino, Jesse and the group going, being prevented from entering, the invitation from Elizabeth Taylor, their going in, her friendship, luck at the tables, prejudices, the bartender, the other sailors, the group leaving, the impact of the shore leave?
9. Action in Korea, the explanation of the war, American involvement?
10. The White House, President Truman, the awarding of the medals, Jesse’s wife and her presence? Tom and his award?
11. The perspective on the Korean war, on racial issues in the services, 70 years after the events?