Brad Pitt stars as James Belmont, who is looking to move on from his life as a combat Special Forces soldier along with his dog Odin. Both James and Odin have scars both physically and mentally from their time in combat and find the silence of fishing in a remote area to be a good place to reflect on life and the friends they have lost and trauma they have endured.
When a medical issue causes James to crash their small plane, he finds that they must cross over fifty miles of harsh terrain in order to reach the closest road where they believe they will eventually be able to find some help.
Wild animals, weather, and terrain all pose threats and injuries and medical issues are compounded by the punishing environment and the two lean on each other for survival. As the danger and challenges mount, their shared bond becomes the key to survival.
The movie is a very emotional journey that had many in my press screening tearing up over the pure emotion of the film that underscores the special bond between a dog and his master and how they will risk everything for each other.
Pitt gives a solid performances and Odin is a charming and compelling character that evokes strong emotions from the audience. The credits said that Odin was actually played by four dogs and I loved the message that service dogs who had been injured in combat can still lead very happy and fully effective lives despite prosthetics and other traumas.
The movie was a very enjoyable outing and one that animal lovers will not want to miss. The scenic Alaskan setting is showcased well and the movie has a great pacing that allows time for the two leads to carry the film to the emotional finale.
4 stars out of 5
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