Review of Megan Leavey (2017) by Tvjerry — 12 Jun 2017

Kate Mara plays the titular Marine who's adrift in life until she finds Rex, a bomb-sniffing dog. As they save lives in Afghanistan, their bond grows. After they suffer separation, she mounts a campaign to adopt him.

This film basically runs in those 3 parts: before Rex (which sets up her unhappiness), in country (which features some mildly suspenseful action) and back home (where she fights PTSD and to be reunited).

Mara manages to capture the conflicting parts of her character with a combo of steely determination and weepy eyes. Despite the opportunities for crying and suffering, the emotions are usually subdued, which means there's no big tearful payoff.

This truth-based story reveals an interesting aspect of modern warfare, while telling a spunky, yet appealing story.