“CINEMA SATURDAY”
In a cinematic experience that can only be described as epic, Sam Mendes’s latest hit 1917 is sure to clean up at award season, already garnishing 10 Oscar nominations and plenty of praise thus far. Sam Mendes continues to surprise in his newest film, which held some of the longest takes (or so it would seem) of any movie that’s been seen onscreen of late. One might even think he took some notes from smash hits such as The Revenant or even Birdman, both of which were helmed by the great Alejandro Gonzales Inarrutu; of the two, Birdman was filmed as if it was only done in one take for the entire duration. 1917 does seem to have a few moments where it cuts, but it’s safe to say that as far shooting and editing goes, Mendes’ directing style certainly gave Inarrutu a run for his money in this one.
1917 is a good example of this, as shooting a film in this particular style would’ve required at least weeks of steady rehearsal.
As it’s commonly known, Sam Mendes rose to prominence with having first directed ‘stage-plays’, but the jump to the screen has not been a mistake. Though uncommon to see a man that could do both, Mendes seems to have a knack for incorporating the theatre into his films, as well as incorporating cinema into his latest staged productions. 1917 is a good example of this, as shooting a film in this particular style would’ve required at least weeks of steady rehearsal. This is something that is not always customary in making a film being that time is always limited varying with many factors. No small task indeed, he’s taken a film with the simplest of plots and then saturated it with insanely innovative complexities that make for a more than worthwhile night at the cinema. Two young soldiers during WWI are commissioned with sending a message to a near regimen in order to stop their attack, which appears to be a trap set by the Germans. Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay play our two Lance Corporals charged with this task, and with this film under their belts, it’s more than speculating to say that this all but certain to boost their profiles among Hollywood and global audiences alike. Both actors shared chemistry, displayed vulnerability, depicted emotion, and flat out put in the work. There’s no questioning, this film was work.
We do get to see other stars of recent memory take the screen, if even only for moments. They do however absolutely make use of their screen time. Richard Madden makes a short but impactful appearance, as well as the familiar Mark Strong, and lest we forget, Benedict Cumberbatch the one and only. It was not them though, but our two younger stars that effectively carried the torch to light the beacons. Sam Mendes it would seem insured that this film would be about the content and subject matter, as opposed to attaching box office names to the top bill just in order to sell tickets. With that said however, it feels as though Sam Mendes is slowly climbing the ranks of directors that audiences around the world will give a chance regardless of who is cast in his films.
More than often enough we’re given films of war that usually focus more on WWII or sometimes even the Vietnam War, so getting this somewhat pacifistic telling about WWI is quite the switch. WWI isn’t as often depicted in media, so it would likely take historians of the event to tell us why; but, Mendes gives the audience a completely different perspective on war regardless of which war he’s even touching on. This movie is about the horrors of war, as most are, but it’s completely stylized and tailored for a different audience. If audiences are expecting a blood and guts, action packed, plotless night at the movies then maybe pick something else. The beauty of this film is what’s in the difference, not its similarity. 1917 is now available for online rent or purchase.
