Naval aviators are in this year, with Top Gun: Maverick being the highest-grossing film of 2022 (so far). Those who still feel the need for speed will definitely want to check it out Dedication – another naval aviator movie, but this one based on the true story of an extraordinary man who overcame the odds to earn his place in the sky.
The film tells the story of Jesse Brown, the first African-American aviator to complete the US Navy’s Basic Pilot Training Program. Like so many stories of legendary African Americans, this one has remained largely ignored in the history books, but Brown’s story will no longer fly under the radar if Dedication has something to say about it.
The fact that the film is based on such an extraordinary true story is a bit of a double-edged sword. For one thing, it allows the film to be hugely inspirational, and in a way that largely doesn’t feel like pro-military propaganda. However, it also has to stick to the truth of the action and that may not be as high as a movie like this demands.
There’s no denying that director JD Dillard, cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, and the entire stunt and visual effects team did an amazing job creating realistic and believable action. However, the sad truth is that the film culminates early, with a bombshell that occurs about halfway through the film being the most thrilling scene of the entire run.
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One of the main things this movie does is to focus on the relationship between Brown and his wingman, Tom Hudner. The filmmakers knew it was mostly about Brown’s story, so they didn’t let Hudner’s character overshadow it at all, but the deep friendship that formed between them was a great way to make the public sympathize with them both.
Jonathan Majors plays Brown in the movie, and this movie proves he’s a fantastic leader. His performance in San Francisco’s Last Black Man and Da 5 Bloods won him much critical acclaim, but Dedication is the film that will propel him into the spotlight with the general public. He radiates charisma in every moment of his performance, but also feels extremely restrained and sensitive.
His co-star, Glen Powell, is also outstanding, though perhaps Powell wants to be careful or risk being heralded as a go-to for military movies. However, unlike his arrogant swagger in Top Gun: MaverickPowell plays the character here in a much more approachable way, having a very good rapport with the majors and making the movie work.
It may be a pity that Dedication came out this year, because it’s definitely going to be compared to Top Gun: Maverick and isn’t quite on the same level. Still, it’s a pretty impressive and inspiring movie in its own right and one that will likely win over audiences just as easily when it hits theaters this fall.
Dedication screened at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, which ran from September 8-18.
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