'1917' directed by "Sam Mendes"
'1917' is a technical achievement in cinema. It's done in a way as to imply a one(or two) continuous take shot. Roger Deacons, the deservedly renowned cinematographer of the Coen brothers and famous for working alongside Denis Villeneuve, pushes his craft forward and is successful in so many ways, and hit or miss(mostly hit) director Sam Mendes delivers an obviously heartfelt and personal story that echoes Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan. In fact, it really feels inspired by the best parts of that film. The story told is so historically earnest, grounded, visceral and simple I don't know if I have the right to criticize this film at all except to say that I found the end result mysteriously alienating. Maybe it was the gimmick of it being a one-shot film because, in fact, that aspect of the film did nothing to enhance the emersion or connection I felt as an audience member in 2020 watching these soldiers endure their mission. I was taking myself out of the film ...