Megan Leavey

About Megan Leavey

"Megan Leavey" is a war drama film about real-life Marine corporal Megan Leavey, whose unique discipline and twist of fate binds her with a military combat dog, Rex. Both serve as part of the military's K9 unit, completing more than 100 missions in Iraq between 2004 and 2006. However, when an explosion injures them, Megan must fight to be reunited with Rex when she returns home to the U.S.

Making / Production

Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite and written by Pamela Gray, Annie Mumolo, and Tim Lovestedt. The movie was released in 2017 by Bleecker Street. Filming took place in Charleston, South Carolina, and in Spain to replicate the Iraqi landscape.

Actors

• Kate Mara - plays the title role of Megan Leavey. Mara's portrayal of Leavey is passionate, demonstrating the character's transformation from a troubled young woman to a committed soldier.
• Ramón Rodríguez - portrays Matt Morales, a fellow K9 handler. Rodríguez brings a warmth and lightness to his role.
• Tom Felton - as Andrew Dean, a dog handler. Felton's role is supportive, offering guidance to Leavey.
• Common - plays Gunny Martin. Common gives a powerful performance as an authoritative figure in Leavey's life.
• Bradley Whitford - is Megan's estranged father, weaving a complex personal backdrop for Leavey's character.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The realistic portrayal of the bond between Megan and Rex in both combat and personal life is attributed to the months Kate Mara spent with a dog trainer and a military consultant.
• The film had three different shooting locations: Charleston, South Carolina, in the U.S., and the provinces of Almería and Fuerteventura in Spain.
• Rex, the German Shepherd played in the movie, is a mix of different dogs. Varco, a trained movie dog, did most of the scenes.

Awards

While "Megan Leavey" didn't win any major awards, the film was critically praised for its touching and respectful portrayal of military service.

Quotes

• "Every time you go out there, it's life or death. You never know."
• "You don't leave because you have somewhere to go, you leave because nothing is keeping you there."
• "I came back here for a purpose. It was to get you."

Music, Soundtrack

• "You Got a Friend" by James Taylor – a soft and warm song played during emotionally heavy scenes.
• "Another Day, Another Dollar" by Wynn Stewart – a vintage country tune reflecting Leavey's civilian life.