Experience WW1 Through a soldier's eyes

Rating: 9/10 (12 January 2020)

This movie is utterly incredible. Obviously from a technical point of view. The editing is flawless. You can make guesses where the cuts were made logistically, but they really are seamless. You can tell that they really put a lot of work into the film and it was simply breathtaking. The "continuous shot" isnt a new concept but it was done brilliantly for a film like this. It's more than a cool technical gimmick...it really makes you feel like you're on this journey too. And the action, and tension just never lets off. Well, at least until the very end. You're just in constant fear and sadness for these guys. And George MacKay who pretty much carries this whole film is absolutely brilliant and I think should be getting more attention this awards season. If he wasn't good, I dont think the film would be as successful despite the technical achievement.
If I had to mention one slight problem, is that if you have seen the trailers or even just THAT clip of George Mackay running through a battlefield with bombs going off (which is a brilliant scene) you know that he is alone. So *SPOILER* it wasnt that much of a shock when his friend died. It was still sad for sure. But like, I think it might have been a bit better if felt like it came out of nowhere. More like how George MacKay's character would have felt. But, honestly thats just one small gripe and I rather liked how the character's death was dealt with. I actually quite liked the scene right afterwards when he's in the truck and the other soldiers are having a conversation and joking around and then there's just Mackay's chaarcter (William) just sitting solemnly trying to process what just happened. Its a great juxtaposition. And then much later on when William is floating in the river, barely holding on and the cherry blossoms start falling down him. It felt like it was a symbol of hope or a message from his friend from beyond the grave to not give up. It was a nice and touching addition to the film. The only other small thing I will mention is that since the film seems to primarly follow William, a lot of the big name actors that you see on the poster or in trailers like Colin Firth or Benedict Cumberbatch for example feel like a cameo. In it for like maybe a 5 minutes and then gone. I mean, it makes sense story wise, but still a little, I don't know, jarring? But really, on the whole the film is amazing. If you want a film to put you right in the middle of war, then this is it.