Horrifyingly Beautiful Cinematography

Rating: 10/10 (12 January 2020)

1917 is special. In this, two soldiers are assigned to deliver a message to stop an attack on the other side of their line. This movie is more than just a war movie, it's a journey. It captures the terrifying and realistic moments of war in horrifyingly beautiful cinematography. One of the best ways it does this is in the way it is shot. The entire movie is made and edited to seem as one long take. You'll hardly ever see a cut away or anything close, and it matters. It makes you feel like you're there, you're in the trenches with them. You're dodging bullets and holding your breath with them. The entire film doesn't hold a thing back. Whether it be the gruesome casualties or the emotional content within it. The acting is phenomenal. I can't put to words how much is portrayed on their faces in such subtle ways. The co-writer and director of this movie has a grandfather who is mentioned in the credits of this movie because the movie was made for him and the stories he told. This of course doesn't mean it's a true story, but it makes it feel just so much more real. I was blown away by this movie in a way I didn't expect to be when I came in. If you like war movies or just want an emotional rollercoaster of a film, then this is one of the best. I highly recommend it to everyone who can get their tickets into a rated R movie. 10/10. This one is sticking with me.