Jude Anthany Joseph's third feature, after Ohm Shanti Oshana and Oru Muthassi Gadha, released on Prime Video at midnight today. This seemingly feel-good film, also seemingly made in limited spaces and with a shoestring budget, tackles a concept and issue never tested before in Malayalam cinema circles. In Sara'S, we follow the life of Sara Vincent (Anna Ben), a young, bubbly, yet unapologetic filmmaker who struggles to make it big in the industry. She continuously assists male directors and is in the scripting works of her dream film. Sara has decided, from her school days, that she would not bear any kids. This is when she meets Jeevan (Sunny Wayne); her relationship with him subsequently brings her ideology and decision into a confrontation with the established norms of society, family and child-rearing. Anna Ben in Sara'S The best aspect in which Sara'S has excelled, without doubt, is its hard-hitting taut script. Debutant Akshay Hareesh deserves praise for managin...
Sam Mendes is a director who has made his mark felt with his visually gripping narratives such as Road to Perdition and American Beauty. He even managed to make a spy movie, Skyfall, into a visually engaging masterpiece. Mendes’ new film, 1917, a World War I epic is yet another ambitious movie from the acclaimed director. Here's the Reviewer's review on the war epic.
The movie chronicles the journey of two young British soldiers, Lance Corporal Schofeld and Blake who race against time to deliver a critical message that will save thousands of British army men from peril in enemy soil. From the British trenches where they get the message, the two soldiers brave airstrikes, dead bodies and explosions to deliver the message.
What works the best in 1917 is the simplicity of the narrative. There are no complexities in the storytelling, even though the on-screen ordeal of the army duo is indeed complex, if not heart-touching. It touches on the more humane side of the war- its impact on normal lives, the lives of the soldiers who risk their lives on enemy lines and brave through adversities under the command of their superiors. There are moments which are heartfelt in the film and makes 1917 a rather emotional journey. It isn’t the typical terror-striking war narrative; it is rather a dive into the personal travails of the soldiers portrayed in the film.
Even though the story is simple and follows a linear narrative, it is the sheer perfection of the technicalities that makes 1917 a complexly crafted yet simply remarkable film. Roger Deakins’ masterful cinematography is the major highlight in 1917. It is not just the long one takes that captures our attention, but the way the objects in the frame are composed and move almost seamlessly in the command of the director and cinematographer. A major issue with filming long takes is that nothing can wrong- the intended move or action has to be accomplished in the right order without any hassle and mistake. If one detail goes wrong, it requires a retake. Here, in 1917, what happens inside these ambitious takes isn’t just a meagre conversation or a walk; there are running soldiers, explosions, jumps, and a plane crash. In short, a lot of action takes place in the minutes these long takes are shot. The way these takes have been filmed is a lesson to aspirant filmmakers and reasserts Roger Deakins’ position as an artist and master of his craft. The lighting techniques adopted by Deakins to film some of the engaging sequences especially the night sequence, where Lance Corporal Schofeld tries to wade through flaming paths and buildings to escape from his enemies.
Another aspect that makes 1917 a masterpiece is its impeccable editing. It’s almost hard to believe that editing of any sort has been done- the cuts are almost intangible and the narrative flows smoothly, depicting a journey where every step counts. Credit goes to Sam Mendes for deftly directing the various aspects of the film together into one remarkable film. He has given considerable attention to detail in his shots, sequences, sound design, editing etc.
MPAA rating: Rated R (for violence, some disturbing images, and language)
Runtime: 119 minutes
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The movie chronicles the journey of two young British soldiers, Lance Corporal Schofeld and Blake who race against time to deliver a critical message that will save thousands of British army men from peril in enemy soil. From the British trenches where they get the message, the two soldiers brave airstrikes, dead bodies and explosions to deliver the message.
What works the best in 1917 is the simplicity of the narrative. There are no complexities in the storytelling, even though the on-screen ordeal of the army duo is indeed complex, if not heart-touching. It touches on the more humane side of the war- its impact on normal lives, the lives of the soldiers who risk their lives on enemy lines and brave through adversities under the command of their superiors. There are moments which are heartfelt in the film and makes 1917 a rather emotional journey. It isn’t the typical terror-striking war narrative; it is rather a dive into the personal travails of the soldiers portrayed in the film.
Even though the story is simple and follows a linear narrative, it is the sheer perfection of the technicalities that makes 1917 a complexly crafted yet simply remarkable film. Roger Deakins’ masterful cinematography is the major highlight in 1917. It is not just the long one takes that captures our attention, but the way the objects in the frame are composed and move almost seamlessly in the command of the director and cinematographer. A major issue with filming long takes is that nothing can wrong- the intended move or action has to be accomplished in the right order without any hassle and mistake. If one detail goes wrong, it requires a retake. Here, in 1917, what happens inside these ambitious takes isn’t just a meagre conversation or a walk; there are running soldiers, explosions, jumps, and a plane crash. In short, a lot of action takes place in the minutes these long takes are shot. The way these takes have been filmed is a lesson to aspirant filmmakers and reasserts Roger Deakins’ position as an artist and master of his craft. The lighting techniques adopted by Deakins to film some of the engaging sequences especially the night sequence, where Lance Corporal Schofeld tries to wade through flaming paths and buildings to escape from his enemies.
Another aspect that makes 1917 a masterpiece is its impeccable editing. It’s almost hard to believe that editing of any sort has been done- the cuts are almost intangible and the narrative flows smoothly, depicting a journey where every step counts. Credit goes to Sam Mendes for deftly directing the various aspects of the film together into one remarkable film. He has given considerable attention to detail in his shots, sequences, sound design, editing etc.
1917 is the sum total of technicalities crafted perfectly and becomes one of the best made works as far as the cinematography, direction and editing are concerned. With the help of its sheer perfect technical aspects committed to finesse, Mendes manages to craft a surreal portrait of the blood-bathed and brutal war era.Reviewer©rating: 5 stars
MPAA rating: Rated R (for violence, some disturbing images, and language)
Runtime: 119 minutes
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