Poor screenplay but rest is good

Rating: 7/10 (9 February 2020)

A sombre and humble WW-I film. If one has read even an overview of the battles of the WW-I, the horrors of trench warfare aren't unknown and this is where the movie begins. The sets of the trenches, the state of the hygiene, living conditions of the soldiers, the horrid views of the no-mans-land and the barbed wires etc. are depicted well enough to make the viewer uneasy. The landscapes of the French countryside, the devastation caused by aerial raids are captivating. The dogfight scene came as a pleasant surprise! The supporting actors leave an impression, even if their roles last barely a few minutes on the screen. MacKay has played his role immaculately, in fact I could relate what I read about the transformation the wars bring in men. With a runtime of barely 2 hours, the movie offers a lot.
Since my primary parameter of evaluation has always been the screenplay, I hate to say that the screenplay was unimpressive. I have no idea of the frontline battles but even if one wants to avoid detection of large groups, fast pace and secrecy, I can't believe that such a crucial task can be enlisted to just two soldiers. The incessant background score reminded me of the similar exasperation that I faced while watching 'Dunkirk'. The background score makes sense only if used sparingly.
Overall, the presentation, acting, cinematography and the overall execution of the movie is commendable but these strong elements can't salvage the screenplay.