In
France during World War I, two British
soldiers are given a daunting mission to warn the front line that they are
heading into a trap set by the Germans. One of the soldiers has a brother
in harm’s way. Thus begins the harrowing journey of survival and a perilous
race against time through war-torn enemy battlefields, booby traps, German
snipers, and more. In the compelling
climax as British troops prepare to advance, will they be warned in time and who
will survive?
This
film has such a basic, simple premise, but the way it is presented is a
meticulously choreographed narrative that unfolds as purely visual technique in
a seemingly single shot with no cuts, something that has rarely ever been
attempted in a major movie (Hitchcock’s 1948 Rope comes to mind). The
camera movements and action are so well staged, the film flows from location to
location seamlessly with the audience given a subjective point of view to
witness unfolding events first hand. Mendes
and Oscar-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins have accomplished a remarkable
achievement in filmmaking by not only pushing the limits of narrative
exposition, but presenting an engaging, immersive experience in war.
The
two, relatively new leads, George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman, are
excellent and surrounded at key moments by noted actors, Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin
Firth, Richard Madden, and Mark Strong.
Filled with memorable
images and set pieces, and with its desperate search, echoing Saving Private Ryan, this is one of the
greatest war films ever committed to celluloid. Should be seen on a big screen.
****
of **** stars
No comments:
Post a Comment