Kate Mara stars in a scene from the movie "Megan Leavey." The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. (CNS/Bleecker Street)

By Catholic News Service

The inspiring true story of U.S. Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey (born in 1983) and Rex, her bomb-sniffing German shepherd, who together completed more than 100 combat missions in Iraq before an explosion sidelined both.

Before impulsively deciding to jump-start her life by joining the Corps, Megan (Kate Mara) is a listless and depressed 20-year-old living with her harridan of a mother (Edie Falco). After enlisting, she finds her niche in the K9 Division headed by a brusque sergeant (Common), and goes on to help save countless lives while also opening her heart to a fellow Marine (Ramon Rodriguez). With its gritty portrayal of the horrors of combat, the film, directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, is a valuable reminder of the personal sacrifices made by those who serve our country, as well as a salute to the enduring rewards of friendship.

A few scenes of intense wartime violence, off-screen nonmarital sexual activity, several profanities, occasional rough and crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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