1917 Movie Review: Critics Are Calling Sam Mendes' Single-Shot War Thriller The Best Film Of The Year

Sam Mendes' war thriller 1917 is all set to open in the theatres on December 25 this year. The embargo on the movie's review has been lifted and the words of the top critics in the world have reached the internet. From the word of it, the movie might be the best offering of this year. 1917 is a single-shot movie with zero cuts, which is a feat in itself. In the past such stunts have been pulled by Hollywood with movies like Gravity, the first 20 minutes of which were entirely one single shot. Oscar winning movie, Birdman, was entirely one single shot. So, did 1917 live up to the benchmark? Well, hear it from the critics. 1917 Trailer: Sam Mendes' War Drama is Highly Gripping (Watch Video) .

1917 stars George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden in key roles. The cinematography is by Roger Deakins. It has been co-produced by Reliance Entertainment.

Forbes called 1917 one of the best movies of 2019 and a strong Oscars contender. They said that the movie "works as a visual miracle, a violent action picture, a grim anti-war fable, a character play and an emotional roller coaster. It’s everything it promises to be, visually, narratively and emotionally, operating both as a technical blow-out and just a damn great movie. It’s a towering proof that there is still value in big studio theatrical movies beyond the surefire (and often quite good) franchise pics."

Empire praised the technical depth of the movie. They wrote, "With Thomas Newman’s score providing a creeping dread, here we find flies buzzing around horse carcasses, and rats — big fat ones — scuttling over human corpses, the faces of the soldiers all but eaten away. It’s a waking nightmare, no less so because of the unforgiving daylight. No mood lighting required. That comes later, when cinematographer Roger Deakins really goes for it. In a town bombed to bits, aerial blasts light the place up, making for a ghostly terror. There are some staggering landscapes in this film. The hell of war is production design heaven. A playground of the damned."

New York Post, also called the movie the best of 2019 and that it is grander than Avengers: Endgame and The Irishman. They wrote, "The director has had great recent success with stage productions, such as The Ferryman and The Lehman Trilogy," adding, "However, “1917” is filmmaking at its best and most piercingly alive. Next time your pessimistic friend tells you there’s no reason to leave the couch anymore, drag them straight into the car and go see this."

The Hollywood Reporter beautifully summed up the movie and wrote, "From now on, when the discussion turns to great works of cinematography and camera operating, 1917 will always have to be high on the list."

The Guardian gave the movie 5 out of 5 stars. They wrote, "Sam Mendes’s 1917 is an amazingly audacious film; as exciting as a heist movie, disturbing as a sci-fi nightmare."

Well, to sum it up Joker might find competition in 1917 as the best film of the year. We cannot wait for the movie to open in theatres. 2020 is out best bet.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2019 08:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).