1917

Here is my pick for not only the best film of 2019, but also one of the most amazing technical achievements I have seen on the screen all year.  1917 is a revolutionary film, as it gives off the seamless impression of having been filmed in a single take.  Aside from one five second period of darkness after one of the soldiers has been knocked out, director Sam Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins trail the actors, constantly keeping the camera in motion, and making the audience feel like we are walking alongside the lead characters on their mission during World War I.

The film's focus is on two young British soldiers, lance corporals Schofield (George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), who in the opening moments are given their orders by General Erinmore (Colin Firth).  They must make their way across French enemy-occupied territory in order to hand-deliver a message to Col. Mackenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his troops to call off a planned attack on German forces, as the whole battle is a trap that could lead to the loss of Mackenzie's entire Battalion.  This includes Blake's brother (Richard Madden).  There's little time until the attack is set to commence, and the two soldiers will have to venture deep behind enemy lines in order to make sure that the message is delivered before a single life is lost.

Set over two days in April 1917, the film never once loses sight of the two young men who barely seem to be in their 20s as they undertake their mission.  Mendes, already a strongly established director of the stage and screen, has truly challenged himself here by creating a film that appears to have no edits, stops or cuts.  Obviously, this is impossible, but the way the film has been mounted creates such a credible illusion that we just stop looking for the seams.  I certainly didn't see any.  Aside from that previously mentioned five second period of a blank screen, the actors and camera never stops, creating a sense of engulfing realism and tension that I have never experienced while watching a film before.

This is not just technical wizardry, either.  1917 creates such an intimate and complete sense of being there that it adds to the emotional power of the film itself.  Editor Lee Smith has created such a convincing illusion of a nearly two hour unbroken shot that I just wanted to savor what I was watching.  The story it tells is enthralling as well.  Inspired by real life stories told by his grandfather, Alfred Mendes, the director has crafted a story that is driven by both thrills and complex emotions.  The thrill comes from the fact that these two soldiers are clearly inexperienced, and thrown deep into enemy territory on their own.  There are some thrilling encounters with a downed plane, as well as their exploration of abandoned trenches which create a sort of suspense that put other thrillers to shame.  Likewise, there are some very tender moments, as an encounter with a French woman who is hiding with a baby that she is taking care of, even though she does not know who it belongs to. 

It is the deft and expert combination of moments of war and quiet character-driven moments that are so wonderful.  I delighted in hearing the casual conversations between the two soldiers, and the performances by both McKay and Chapman are so tender and honest, they both deserve recognition.  Chapman displays a kind of optimism even the face of the worst situations, while McKay gives the deepest performance of the film.  Whether he's struggling with the pain in his hand from getting it caught on some barbed wire, or he is sharing an intimate moment with some fellow soldiers on the back of a truck, he is constantly assured in his portrayal.  This is the rare film where all the technical mastery and effects work do not drown out the human soul of the story, which is constantly present, and creates some beautiful moments, such as when we happen upon some soldiers listening to a gorgeous rendition of the song "Wayfaring Stranger".

1917 is a true achievement in cinema.  It's the kind of film you wish you could experience for the first time again almost as soon as it's done.  It's also the rare kind of film where I would have liked to have turned right around and bought a ticket for the next showing.  From beginning to end, this film is simply unforgettable.

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