1917

1917 might be a perfect movie.  It's one of those rare films that doesn't waste a moment.  There's nothing I would change about it.  It says something that my wife agreed completely.  We were thrilled by the same footage and scenes throughout the movie.  Watching the movie became an experience in the greatest of ways.  If I had to use just one word to describe it then it would have to be powerful.

Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall), the movie is a love letter to his grandfather, who fought in World War I.  Probably because of that, it feels both grand in scope and incredibly intimate at the same time.  The film centers on two young men (boys, really) who are British troops stationed in France.  They receive a mission to travel through hazardous territory to deliver a message to another battalion before they fall for a trap set by the German army.  One of them has an older brother who is part of the other battalion, so that just increases the stakes. They have to travel through trenches, underground caverns with rats running wild, and across lands where they could be blown up at any moment by unexpected land mines.

Most of the movie intentionally feels like one long shot.  The camera never really breaks or edits to another angle or scene.  This effectively puts you along the journey with them.  If they are surprised by an enemy soldier, so are you.  It's truly a great emotional device that the movie deploys.

There were probably 5 or so times in the movie where the plot, the music, the footage, and the action all converge to create something that feels incredibly special.  I couldn't help but think I was watching some scenes that would become cinema history.  It has moments of high artistry.

The ending was note perfect.  A stunning achievement.  I went into the movie thinking it would be good, but probably not my vote for Best Picture of the year.  I walked out knowing I'd just seen the Best Picture of the year.  Honestly, one of the best pictures I've ever seen.