Devotion Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two flyboys become besties in the Korean War, then one crashes and the other crashes too in a desperate attempt to light him on fire, all while America’s forgotten war is going on, what a story.

🍿 Devotion: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Ensign Brown and Lt. Hudner Join VF-32

In 1950, Ensign Jesse Brown, the Navy’s first African American aviator, and Lt. Tom Hudner are assigned to Navy Fighter Squadron VF-32. Hudner is paired with Brown as his wingman. Despite their different backgrounds, they quickly develop a bond as they train with the F4U-4 Corsair, a powerful but dangerous aircraft. The squadron is stationed at Quonset Point Naval Air Station.

Facing Prejudice and Building Trust

Brown faces racism both on and off the base, using inner strength and the support of his wife, Daisy, to persevere. Hudner witnesses the prejudice Brown endures and becomes increasingly committed to being a true friend and ally. Their bond strengthens as they navigate the challenges of naval aviation and the social climate of the time. The other pilots also learn to accept Brown for who he is as a valuable member of the team.

Deployment to the Mediterranean and Korean War

VF-32 is deployed to the Mediterranean Sea as part of a show of force against Soviet aggression. During shore leave in Cannes, France, Brown’s presence challenges social norms, but he handles it with dignity. The squadron is then redeployed to Korea when war breaks out. They provide crucial air support to ground troops, facing intense combat and dangerous missions against North Korean and Chinese forces.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors): The first African American naval aviator who faces prejudice while striving to be the best pilot during the Korean War.
• Tom Hudner (Glen Powell): A fellow naval aviator who develops a strong friendship with Jesse Brown and risks his life to save him.
• Daisy Brown (Christina Jackson): Jesse Brown’s supportive wife who provides a strong family foundation amidst the challenges they face.
• Dick Cevoli (Thomas Sadoski): The Lieutenant Commander and squadron CO who guides his pilots through the Korean War.
• Marty Goode (Joe Jonas): One of the pilots in the squadron.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jesse Brown: “You ain’t shit. You ain’t never landing that plane, nigger.” – Jesse says this to himself in front of the mirror, confronting his internal doubts and the racism he faces.
• Tom Hudner: “I made a promise.” – Tom tells Daisy Brown after the ceremony, explaining why he’ll always be there for her husband.
• Daisy Brown: “I just asked you to be there for him.” – Daisy says this to Hudner after he apologizes for failing to save Jesse, reminding him of her simple request.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $90,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,511,938
• Worldwide Gross: $21,768,133

💥 Devotion Reviews

Personal Review

As a huge fan of war movies, I was really looking forward to Devotion, especially after seeing Glen Powell in Top Gun: Maverick. The aerial scenes were definitely a highlight, and the relationship between Jesse and Tom felt genuine. I loved the Cannes scene; it showed they were just people outside of war. However, I felt like the movie could have explored the challenges Jesse faced as a black aviator in more depth. There was some filler, but the ending definitely got to me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of war movies”
  • “Those interested in historical dramas”
  • “Viewers who appreciate stories of friendship and courage”
  • “Individuals interested in stories about overcoming racial prejudice”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “War violence”
  • “Racial slurs”
  • “Plane crash scenes”
  • “Smoking”
  • “Brief strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Devotion is a competently made but dramatically inert war drama. While the aerial sequences are visually impressive, the film struggles to find a compelling narrative beyond the surface-level camaraderie between its leads.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “The film is anchored by solid performances from Majors and Powell, but it suffers from a predictable plot and a lack of genuine emotional depth. The aerial combat scenes offer some excitement, but they’re not enough to elevate the movie beyond mediocrity.
• Variety: “Devotion is a sincere but ultimately underwhelming tribute to Jesse Brown and Tom Hudner. While the film tackles important themes of race and brotherhood, it does so in a heavy-handed and cliché-ridden manner.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell really made the movie work.: The performances of the lead actors were widely praised for their authenticity and emotional depth.

It was amazing to see a Korean War movie finally get some recognition.: Viewers appreciated the film for shining a light on a often-overlooked conflict and the heroes who fought in it.

Overall Consensus: Devotion is a respectfully made war drama with strong performances, but its predictable plot and lack of narrative depth left some audiences underwhelmed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the non-fiction book “Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice” by Adam Makos, which details the true story of Jesse Brown and Tom Hudner.”
• “To prepare for their roles, Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell underwent extensive flight training to understand the experience of naval aviators in the 1950s.”
• “The filmmakers aimed for historical accuracy, using meticulously recreated Corsair aircraft and Navy uniforms to reflect the Korean War era.”

🖥️ How to Watch Devotion?

Devotion is available to stream on Paramount+ and is available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Devotion, you might like these similar films:

• Men of Honor (2000): Chronicles the story of Carl Brashear, the first African American Navy Master Diver, facing similar racial prejudice and professional challenges as Jesse Brown.
• The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954): A Korean War drama focusing on the lives and sacrifices of naval aviators, offering a period-specific comparison to the aerial combat and emotional toll of the conflict.
• Top Gun: Maverick (2022): Features intense aerial action and a strong bond between pilots, appealing to viewers interested in the camaraderie and technical aspects of naval aviation, even though it’s set in a modern context.

🛒 Devotion Related Products

• Devotion (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): The official soundtrack features moving orchestral pieces and period-accurate jazz tunes, capturing the film’s emotional depth and 1950s setting. Perfect for reliving the movie’s most impactful moments.
• F4U Corsair Model Kit: A highly detailed model kit of the F4U Corsair, the iconic aircraft featured in Devotion. Build and display this legendary plane to commemorate the bravery of the pilots who flew it.
• Devotion Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the movie’s theatrical poster, featuring Jonathan Majors and Glen Powell. Perfect for decorating a home theater or office, showcasing your appreciation for the film.
• “Devotion” Inspired US Navy Pilot T-Shirt: Premium cotton t-shirt with a vintage design inspired by the US Navy pilots in “Devotion.” Features classic aviation imagery and lettering, showing the values of brotherhood and courage of the brave pilots

🎧 Soundtrack

Devotion features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Держи меня близко (Derzhi menya blizko)” – performed by Evaldäs
• “K.C. Caboose” – performed by Brick Fleagle

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Flying The F4U Corsair in The Movie Devotion

Ever wonder how they made the flight scenes in ‘Devotion’ so realistic? This video interviews a pilot who actually flew the Corsair in the film – a must-watch for any aviation geek (like me!)!

New film “Devotion” tells story of first black navy pilot and man who tried to save his life

Want to know the real story that inspired ‘Devotion’? This CBS Mornings segment dives deep, featuring interviews with the actual people involved. It gives so much more meaning to the movie!

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