★★★½

1917 (2019)

Written by Dalton Welsh - June 2, 2020

It seems almost like a right of passage for prolific filmmakers to take on the tremendous task of a war film. Spielberg, Kubrick, Tarantino, Coppola and now Sam Mendes with his film “1917”. We follow the journey of two British soldiers in WWI in a race against time as they must venture across enemy lines to deliver a message that will save the lies of 1600 men. The film made to look as if it were done in one continuous shot draws the viewer in on an experience that makes a great case for the magic of filmmaking and the importance of the cinematic experience. Even if some of the film’s components aren’t quite as successful as its remarkable cinematography.

We must mention the work of the film’s director of photography Roger Deakins. Debatably the greatest cinematographer in film history, with Blade Runner 2049 a few years ago, and now 1917 he is clearly showing no signs of slowing down, even as he enters his 70s. The ability of Deakins to enact an expert use of colour in the balance of grassy greens, blue skies and fiery reds. As well as a skillful attention to the layout and relationship between the characters and the action that surrounds them while the camera is constantly in motion is a pure feat of filmmaking talent. This grand one-shot plan could not have been achieved by Deakins if not for his frequent collaboration with production designer Dennis Gassner. Who managed to create environments that were not only visually compelling in camera, but also fit the practical parameters of the films one shot nature, making for an impressive technical and creative achievement. While the production at times lacks a sense of depth which could make the scenes visually bland, Deakins saves with his keen eye for composition.

As for the story that this visual splendour displays, while the concept makes for an effective use of the ticking clock element creating a great deal of suspense as we await to see the final result of their journey, the various scenes of strife the characters find themselves in feel more like a series of mini quests strung together. This variation in scenes, while it keeps things fresh and engaging the film doesn’t take advantage of this as a way to show how the characters are challenged differently from each scenario. Perhaps if the action reflected more of who they are as people, and developed them as characters, it would have made the scenes of violence and danger they constantly find themselves in not just viscerally effective, but also emotionally effective. Despite the two lead characters feeling a little thinly written, the performances by Dean-Charles Chapman and especially George MacKay make the best out of the situation, giving a decent amount of relatability to characters that perhaps in less capable actors hands would fall flat. While they thankfully refrain from the cliché of soldiers sitting around a fire telling each other their back stories as a means of thinly veiled exposition, some more characterization would have been appreciated.

Perhaps the aspect of the film that I feel most conflicted about is the use of music. While Thomas Newman’s score is exhilarating and provides a sense of theatricality that adds to the films choice to be in one continuous take, making for what feels like a celebration of the art of filmmaking. One can’t help but feel it to be at times a little overbearing. Where the plight of the characters are supposed to provide the emotion, they’ve had to make up for with emotional music. Additionally, in scenes with heavy gunfire and explosions it would have been nice to give the sound design a chance to shine to further engross us in the scene rather than blaring the score to drown that all out.

So, despite some thin writing in terms of the leads whose emotional development often feels stunted by the lack of character motivated action and a score that feels to occasionally overstay its welcome. This doesn’t take away from the film being elevated by the dedication of the lead performances, the intensity of the action and the all engrossing visual experience it provides. Effectively brought together by the expert direction of Sam Mendes.