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On 1917

Stunning is the first word that comes to mind.

There wasn't a single thing I didn't love about it. In no particular order:

  1. I loved every casting choice.

  2. I loved the switcharoo of main-characters after act one

  3. I loved the cinematography

  4. I loved the three big "wow" scenes (the tripwire, the plane crash, and the run across the battlefield)

  5. I loved the editing*

  6. I loved the steady, rhythmic bass that kept the tension going during the scenes where nothing happens but character(s) walking.

*Lee Smith deserves so much recognition for his editing. I imagine that sounds like a joke to anyone who hasn't seen the movie, but when you consider the craft that had to be done to make this movie, which featured many cuts, look like it had none, a special bit of recognition is deserved, I think.

1917 had a lot of little moments where things moved in the frame in such a way that I thought "I wonder if that's where they cut" but it happens so often, I knew in the back of my mind they weren't ALL the times the cuts happened. Once I realized it wasn't worth playing "spot the edit" I was able to sit back and enjoy the movie. It stopped being a "look at me" thing within the first fifteen minutes and by the end I totally forgot it was a "one shot" thing.

He wasn't nominated for an Oscar, which is sad.

Ultimately the film is s triumph, whether or not it wins any awards.

10/10 - it's only January but this is my favorite movie of the year and it'll take something special indeed to top it.

Matthew Martin1917