103 Years Ago..Is Now Today.

Rating: 10/10 (3 March 2020)

I am grateful that one of my Grandma's friends recommended that we see 1917. All I knew about the movie was that it was a war movie, it has lots of critical praise, and that it was nominated for Best Picture. After seeing the movie, let me tell you that all this hype is well earned.
While 1917 is set in World War 1, it reminded me of a classic World War 2 movie-Saving Private Ryan. Both films are about the horrors of war and a dangerous mission to find the brother of another soldier. 1917 has another plot point as well though, where 2 soldiers are going to enemy territory to offer peace and stop a battle that will have deadly results if pursued.
1917 succeeds most with the emotion, and that's what carries most of the movie. For example, one of the 2 soldiers is stabbed and then dies in the other's arms before he can get proper help. This is very emotional, especially since the viewer can connect with the bond that they have. Any death, whether from an enemy or not, is felt by the viewer.
Speaking of the deaths, the violence is very effective as is necessary, of course. I especially appreciated that the gore was shown but not as graphic as Saving Private Ryan. Simply put, it shows enough war violence to stun the audience but not be too depressing.
1917 is also effective with jump scares. Yes, there are jump scares, but not in a lame horror-film way. These are jump scares done right and well deserved. A character may be walking around and then without warning...BOOM! A gun is shot or a grenade is thrown.
The movie also has great cinematography, as other reviewers have said-this should be considered to be among the best camera work of any film this year.
Another great film-making aspect is that it has a "one shot" feel that makes the movie look to have one continuous shot, not broken up into different angles(The Oscar winner Birdman was filmed this way as well).
1917 also does a great job of taking us to the year. That is, it really feels like it's 1917 now, even though it was 103 years ago.
While I have not seen any other of the nominees for Best Picture, I agree that this deserved one. I have minor flaws with it, but they don't affect the movie's overall high quality.
This ranks with American Beauty, Road To Perdition, and Revolutionary Road as one of Sam Mendes's best movies, and is well worth the time to see, so please do so!
Note: After the movie ended, I asked my Grandma what she would rate it, and she said a 9.5 or a 10. I was shocked, as she hardly ever gives 10s. This got me asking what other movies she would rate a 10, to which she listed Hidden Figures, My Fair Lady, Titanic, Mary Poppins, among others.
Since this is the case, that is 2 10/10s for you to base your decision on to see this movie. I hope you choose to see it, 1917 is a rewarding experience!
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