“Devotion” is a biographical drama film that tells the story of Jesse Brown, who became the first African-American pilot in the U.S. Navy. This film, directed by J.D. Dillard and released by Columbia Pictures on November 23, 2022, is based on the book “Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship and Sacrifice” by Adam Makos.
The story begins with Jesse Brown striving to prove himself as a skilled pilot, despite facing ridicule and discrimination from his fellow pilots. He becomes friends with Tom Hudner, and they become a strong flying duo, especially in the heat of the Korean War. However, their friendship is put to the test when they are faced with intense battles and differing opinions on following orders.
Tom Hudner is transferred to Fighter Squadron 32, where he meets Jesse Brown, the only African-American pilot in the U.S. Navy. They are introduced to the new F4U Corsair, a powerful aircraft that was known to cause fatal accidents if not handled properly.
Their friendship becomes stronger when Jesse’s car breaks down, and Tom drives him home. After passing flight tests with the new aircraft, they are sent to the USS Leyte aircraft carrier in the middle of the sea to defend against a potential Soviet attack.
En route to the carrier, they face a tragic accident where Carol Mohring dies on a training mission due to flying too low and not slowing down during landing. Tom is saddened by Carol’s mistake, but Jesse defends her by saying that everyone can make mistakes.
In Cannes, Jesse and his squad take a break to unwind. Jesse meets Elizabeth Taylor on the beach and is later invited to a casino. However, they almost don’t get in due to racism from the bouncer. They eventually move to a small bar on the street and witness a fight, which Jesse handles on his own, telling Tom not to defend him.
Their next mission takes them to the Korean War, where Chinese forces have joined North Korea to try and push American forces out of South Korea. Tom and Jesse are assigned with destroying a bridge between China and North Korea over the Yalu River. However, they are only allowed to shoot at North Korean forces. They engage in an air battle with a MiG-15, and the others try to destroy the bridge.
In one of their passes, they drop a bomb on the bridge, but it remains standing. Tom orders the team to retreat due to ground fire from Chinese forces, but Jesse attempts to destroy the bridge again and succeeds. Jesse is upset with Tom’s report of the mission, claiming that he ignored orders and could potentially harm his career in the military. Although Tom files a revision with positive statements from all members of the mission, it doesn’t have any real impact on Jesse’s career.
Jesse is presented with a watch as a gift from the crew of the African-American staff on the ship while reflecting on his struggles.
Their next mission is to assist the Marine forces at the Chosin Reservoir. They arrive just in time to help when the Marines are trapped. However, Jesse’s plane is hit, causing an oil leak, and he has to make an emergency landing. Jesse crashes into the trees before landing on the snow, and Tom realizes his leg is trapped inside the aircraft.
With Chinese forces approaching, Tom has to act quickly to save Jesse. Will Tom be able to save Jesse and bring him back to safety? Or will the worst-case scenario come true? Watch the film to find out.
“Devotion” is a biographical drama that follows the true story of Jesse Brown, which is presented in a simple, chronological order. The film sheds light on the discrimination and challenges faced by the first African-American pilot in the U.S. Navy. The strong bond of friendship between Jesse and Tom is portrayed beautifully, and the film is widely regarded for its emotional depth.
In conclusion, “Devotion” is a heartwarming film inspired by a true story of struggle, friendship, and sacrifice. The poignant portrayal of Jesse Brown’s journey makes this film a must-watch for all audiences.
