War Is Hell and Dirty and Muddy

Here's the movie I thought was going to given the Oscar for Best Picture.   It clearly deserved it and so did "Once Upon a Time...In Hollywood."  Not to say that "Parasite" was not a great film, but it already had gotten the "Best International Film."   How much is too much?   That is something that will be debated by the Academy moving forever.

But I am here to discuss and review "1917."  It's a nifty film that is a pretty basic story set against the backdrop of World War I.   Two young soldiers are entrusted to undertake a suicide mission and get a vital message to troops at the front.   That's it.   Along the way, the obstacles are many from land mines to crashing planes to bullets to raging rapids and waterfalls.   Amidst all the dirt and the mud, this is essentially a deadly theme park.

Further adding to the magic of the film, director Sam Mendes has taken a page from Alfred Hitchcock and constructed this movie to appear that it was filmed in one continuous shot.  Of course, it's not and you can pick up some of the transitions....AKA seams...that stitch it all together.  Nevertheless, it makes for a compelling and rather simple tale.   Of course, World War I was much more devastating than just crawling around in some muck and mire.   But, "1917" does deliver a lot of the pain of battle.

Oddly, I have read a lot of background on WW II, but know very little of the first World War.  Indeed, "Downton Abbey's" Season 2 concentrated on the impact of that war on the home front and that's pretty much where I learned the most about that conflict.   So, in a way, "1917" broadened that knowledge and for that, I am grateful.

Now whether it was the Best Picture of the Year, that is a question to be argued both short term and long term.   For me, it was a terrific story and a well made film.   You see and judge for yourself.

LEN'S RATING:  Three-and-a-half stars.

Dinner last night:  Leftover beef stew.