It’s who stands beside you,” feels well earned. So the movie’s tagline, “It’s not what stands in front of you. Although the ending is well known, its impact is no less profound on screen. In adapting a magazine article by Sean Flynn, director Joseph Kosinski (“Tron: Legacy”) deftly juggles the intimate stories of the men’s personal lives with grand set pieces which evoke the sheer terror and destructive force of the flames they battle. “As long as you can breathe, you can survive.” “It’s gonna feel like the end of the world,” Marsh warns. When all else fails, the men crawl inside makeshift shelters, large reflective bags which - they hope - let the fire pass safely over them. Before long, McDonough is running drills with Marsh’s crew, learning to clear brush, dig trenches, and create controlled burns, which contain a fire by taking away its source of fuel. This has turned out to be a major wake-up call. He has led a dissolute life of drugs and crime and, after a one-night stand, is now a father. “It’s not easy sharing your man with a fire,” says Marvel Steinbrink (Andie MacDowell), wife of Duane (Jeff Bridges), the local fire chief.ĭuring a recruitment drive, an unlikely candidate appears: Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller).

Marsh’s wife, Amanda (Jennifer Connelly), epitomizes the lonely existence of the spouses, constantly anxious for their husbands’ safety. Most are young, newly married, and have children, which injects additional drama and poignancy into the saga. The diverse bunch includes Chris MacKenzie (Taylor Kitsch), a ladies’ man and prankster, and Clayton Whitted (Scott Haze), a youth minister who keeps his Bible handy. With Jesse Steed (James Badge Dale) as his right-hand man, Marsh has honed them into a well-oiled firefighting machine. In Prescott, Arizona, Eric Marsh (Josh Brolin) has dreamed for years of earning hotshot status for his 20-member crew.

Only the brave movie pictures