Devotion

The Korean War in a nutshell is considered an extension of WWII. After a five year peace period that started when WWII ended in August of 1955, the Chinese Communist Party had begun to infiltrate other Asian countries. America was in a floundering state with the U.S.S.R. and the cold war that had been created between the two polar opposite societies. However, the Communist threat spread rapidly and America (for all its good intentions to remain neutral) knew it couldn't remain silent for long. 

 

No war should be forgotten or even called forgotten, because to do so would simply be disregarding the duty and sacrifice of the men who were there. Men like Ensign Jesse Brown and Lieutenant Tom Hudner.

In 1950, Ensign Jesse Brown from Hattiesburg, Mississippi has the distinction of being the first African American naval aviator. Proud of his long worked for achievements, Jesse hopes for a bright future with his strong, lovely wife Daisy and their sweet daughter, Pamela. However, racial tension is still strong even within the military. Jesse has learned from a young age to accept racial slurs and bigotry, but has also taught himself to rise to a higher standard when confronted with prejudice. 

Lieutenant Tom Hudner was born into an affluent family from Fall River, Massachusetts. He took the unexpected route of joining the military, but has proven it was the right decision for him. Within military confines Tom is a rule keeper who never steps out of line and always does what's expected of him. This comes into conflict with Jesse Brown's daredevil do-whatever-it-takes nature.
 

After years of being looked down on, Jesse is apprehensive, almost hostile to meeting anyone new. While Jesse is revered by the other African-Americans servicemen, he is forever aware of how he is being seen by the majority of white men However, Tom's kindness and respect towards Jesse and his family begins to warm Jesse over. 

 

Jesse, Tom and an elite group of pilots are all gathered together to create Fighter Squadron 32. Tasked to primarily aid the Marines on the ground when under attack or siege. Squadron 32 begins to mold and form into a tight group of companions through experiences of fun, trouble, never-ending drills, personal loss and finally the brink of war. Something that none of them want, but also knowing that this is what they signed on for. This is what they have been preparing their entire careers for. 

 

When battle weary Marines are under heavy fire in Korea's Chosin Reservoir, the Squadron are finally called in to relieve them. Jesse and Tom perform their duty exceptionally, but soon find themselves in a life and death situation that will test all matter of devotion and friendship. 

Devotion is a story about two wars, the personal war of race and prejudice and then the international war of the threat of Communism and tyranny. While battles have been fought and won to overcome both, they will still continue to infiltrate society regardless of the modern and changing times. Sad facts to be sure, but facts all the same.

I read the book prior to seeing the movie and unfortunately quite a bit of the book was taken out and there were liberties that were taken with the story. For example, (according to the book) there was no hostility toward Tom when he and Jesse met. And while they weren't immediate friends, there was great respect between the two of them. Also the the movie all but omitted the Marine's ground combat and the suffering and sacrifice they went through. Unfortunately, the Marines were painted as racist and bigoted in the film. There was no evidence of that in the book either. 

Many reviewers have been describing the movie as 'a simple, quiet film,' and that is exactly what Devotion is. It's first and foremost a biography of two men and their brothers in arms. It didn't have the grand epic scale of Band of Brothers or the excitement of The Last Raid (excellent movie!), but what it did have was the same stories of courage amidst fear and possible death. 

 

(And it had Glen Powell too, which makes it all the more need to see)