Review 461: Megan Leavey

Megan Leavey is a one of a kind war film, one that explores the bond between human and animal

Based on a true story, Assigned to clean up the K-9 unit after a disciplinary hearing Megan Leavey (Kate Mara), a young, directionless Marine, starts to identify with Rex, a particularly aggressive dog that she trains.
Over the course of their service in Iraq, Megan and Rex complete more than 100 missions and save many lives thanks to their unique discipline and unique bond with each other.

The plot is wonderfully moving  Anyone who knows anything about war should know what a vital part these dogs played in saving human lives
The bond that develops between Megan and Rex over the course of the film is emotional crux of the film. As they go on tours together and spend time together, they begin to

The saying goes that a person can accomplish anything once they realise they're a part of something bigger and this film really takes that saying to heart. Megan Leavey chooses to participate in a much larger conflict and in the process she accomplishes many things and becomes a war hero

Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite's direction is sensitive, the cinematography is terrific and captures the gritty and tough environments Iraq and the U.S. military training facilities, nothing onscreen is flashy, everything is kept extremely natural. The costumes are appropriately rugged, the score by Mark Isham is appropriately low key and suspenseful, the make up is terrific, the production design is

Kate Mara is amazing in this film as the titular heroine. Beautifully and powerfully playing Megan Leavey as a multi-faceted character. From the insecure teenager who didn't fit, to the screw-up, to the brave soldier, the respected corporal she ultimately became and even when she's suffering from PTSD.
Her arc from an aimless young woman to a confident, battle-hardened, determined and driven corporal is fabulously realised

Edie "Carmela Soprano" Falco is very well cast playing Jackie Leavey, Megan’s mother. One of the films cleverer elements is that she’s not a terrible mum by any stretch but she and Megan do have a strained relationship mainly due to Megan's aimless nature as a young adult and the fact that she’s divorced from her father

The West Wing's Bradley Whitford is also terrific playing Bob Leavey, Megan’s father. He provides a great emotional support for Megan when she comes home Iraq following  he encourages her not to

Tom “Draco Malloy” Felton is also very strong playing Andrew Dean, a veteran dog handler who shows Megan the ropes in how to handle dogs like Rex

Ramon Rodriguez

Common

Megan Leavey is a 4.5/5

The Anonymous Critic.