1917

I have had a lifelong fascination with World War I (my great-grandfather was wounded in the Battle of Ypres and left for dead on the battlefield until he was found alive by his brother) so I have been anticipating the movie 1917 for months.  I was finally able to see it last night with my Dad and the hype is real!  This movie is absolutely brilliant!  At the height of WWI in northern France, General Erinmore (Colin Firth) sends two young soldiers, Lance Corporal Will Schofield (George MacKay) and Lance Corporal Tom Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), on a desperate mission across no-man's land to deliver a message to Colonel Mackenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch).  Thinking that the German forces are on the run, Mackenzie is about to attack but Erinmore has received aerial reconnaissance photos that show the Germans are waiting to ambush the regiment.  Communications have been cut so Schofield and Blake are the only hope to avoid the massacre of 1600 soldiers, including Blake's older brother.  Everything about this movie is outstanding!  The story about the futility of war is compelling and full of so much pathos that I was crying uncontrollably by the end of it (aspects of the story reminded me of my very favorite movie Gallipoli which is what started my tears).  MacKay gives an astonishing and physically grueling performance as a jaded soldier who initially doesn't want to go on the mission because he has seen action at the Somme but eventually finds a meaningful reason to continue.  His character's arc is incredibly profound and the final shot had me crying once again.  The action is intense and completely immersive (it is as if you are in the trenches with the soldiers) due to the elaborately choreographed camera shots which give the impression of one long and continuous take.  It is a technical achievement that left me stunned.  I have long been a fan of Roger Deakins (I loved the cinematography in Blade Runner 2049) and his use of light and shadow while Schofield runs through the bombed out city of Ecoust is mesmerizing.  I also loved the evocative score by Thomas Newman because it adds so much to the intensity and emotion.  I highly recommend this movie (both my Dad and I want to see it again) and, even though the nominations haven't been announced yet, it is my pick for the Best Picture Academy Award!