J.D. Dillard’s “Devotion” is the story of Jesse Brown, the U.S. Navy’s first Black aviator, and his relationship with Tom Hudner, his fellow pilot during the Korean War. The movie captures the mental and emotional effects that racial discrimination had on Brown and it pushes audiences to take an intense look at the everyday struggles that Black naval aviators were forced to face in the 1950’s.
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Brown, played by Jonathan Majors, and Hudner, played by Glen Powell, develop a comical and caring relationship as they become closer. What began as a combination of tense and standoffish interactions became an extraordinarily loving friendship. Hudner and Brown came from vastly different backgrounds; Hudner was born into a wealthy white family in Massachusetts and Brown was born into a Black sharecropper family in Mississippi. Despite the contrasts in their upbringings, they were able to support each other in their training, in battle, and even down to their last moments together.
In the film, there is a great focus on the love that Brown has for his wife, Daisy, played by Christina Jackson. She represents a sense of reassurance and safety that can offer him happiness when he is not immersed in the harsh and stressful situations that he faces at work. Daisy expresses immense support for Jesse and his dreams, but she also makes it clear that her primary concern is for him to stay safe. Before Jesse and his team leave for duty from Rhode Island, Daisy says, “ You’re the only person I’ve ever met that belonged in the sky, just remember you belong down here with us, too”. Jackson and Majors portray Daisy and Jesse’s love as something incredibly tender, but strong. The emphasis of their love adds a sense of relatability to the film in that it demonstrates the importance of having a reliable support system during times of hardship.
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Institutional racism, one of the greatest hardships experienced by Jesse throughout his service, is shown through a very raw and heart-rending lens. Jonathan Majors powerfully shows audiences the emotional torment that Jesse endures during his time in the Navy. There are many scenes that highlight the strength of Majors’ performance, but he truly embodies the sorrow and misery that comes from racism in the bathroom mirror scene. In this scene, Brown repeats racist and hateful messages to himself while looking himself in the eye. As tears drop from his face, he says, “You ain’t shit. You ain’t never landing that plane, ni**er!”. These phrases (and more) come from Brown’s notebook in which he writes hateful words that have been spat at him throughout his life and naval career. This scene comes just before Brown has to take a vigorous flight test for his training. As the scene continues, it is evident to the audience that the repetition of these phrases serves as motivation for Brown to do well in his flight practice. The depth to which these words affect Brown further emphasizes the significance of their impacts. The construction of this scene is profoundly successful for the reason that Majors and Dillard construct a simultaneously still, chaotic, and heartbreaking mental environment for viewers.
“Devotion” sheds light on what it looks like to live authentically in a dangerous world and what it means to be genuinely cared for by loved ones. Jonathan Majors, Christina Jackson, Glen Powell, and J.D. Dillard have carefully created a story that will bring audiences to tears while concurrently reflecting on the trials and tribulations that have resulted from racism.
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Review | J.D. Dillard’s “Devotion”
