Heart Of The Beast stars Brad Pitt and is about an retired command sergeant major who is lost in the jungles of Alaska, USA. He just has his dog, Odin, for company. How he survives forms the crux of the tale. The film is shot in an unhurried fashion. There’s barely any actor besides Brad Pitt and yet one is fully involved with the proceedings. The dog is the winner and the way his character is depicted is novel. On the flipside, the film gets a bit repetitive in some places. The protagonist’s characterization could have been better explained, especially his personal life. One more aspect, related to a communication device (or lack of it), is also difficult to digest. Brad Pitt is terrific and the manner in which he displays his physical and emotional vulnerability is something to watch out for. Special mention should also go to Uber the dog; what an actor! J K Simmons (Watkins) and Anna Lambe (girl in the pickup) are fine. All in all, Heart Of The Beast is worth watching for the subject, breathtaking cinematography and the performances of Brad Pitt and the dog.
My rating – *** ½ out of 5!