Director Sam Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins shine in a brilliantly single-shot approach style film.

Rating: 8/10 (12 January 2020)

"1917," set during World War I, is the story of two young British soldiers, Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield (George MacKay), impossible mission to deliver a message to another battalion in occupied German territory. If they succeed in getting there, their letter to retreat will stop 1,600 men, and one of the soldiers' brothers, Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), from walking into certain doom.
"1917" is the newest film from "American Beauty" director Sam Mendes. Unlike "American Beauty," which relies on great characters and a strong story, "1917" never gives time to develop these attributes. The action in the film moves so quickly that we never get much character development time with Blake (Chapman) and Schofield (MacKay). When we do, those times were great, both Chapman and Mackay performed excellently in their dialogue scenes. But, these scenes were the only time we could get a sense of their personalities. Scenes that ultimately felt like pauses between the technically genius one-shot style frantic action scenes, and never the primary focus of the film.
The best aspect of "1917" is the cinematography. You can't help but get a heart-wrenching feeling as you move with the characters through the rat-infested trenches. We pass by shell shocked soldiers who look like they've been squatting in the same position for hours, maybe even days-every moment radiantly captured by the genius cinematographer, Roger Deakins. Who now, almost yearly, earns an Oscar nomination for each film he does. Years back, he was the Coen brothers go-to director of photography now each project he does seem to be bigger and bolder than the next. Deakins brings an excellent theater experience to each film he does, and "1917" will not disappoint. There's a scene in the movie that uses bombs and flare flashes to light a night scene that came out so beautifully while adding a layer of tension to the story that I found astounding to watch.
"1917" made me think of "Saving Private Ryan," but if you cut out 3/4 of the story and kept just the action scenes. I wouldn't say I like bringing up other movies while reviewing, but I feel like one can't help do that with the war movie genre. In "Saving Private Ryan," there's a more elaborate storyline, a stronger sense of knowing the characters, and also great action. "1917" gives only the action part of the formula, in my opinion. But, the unbroken shot technique to show World War I action was so impressive that it made the movie thrilling to watch the whole time.