★★★ 

Roger Deakins is easily the best cinematographer of all time. This film has proven that. It is one of the most gorgeous and technically well-made movies of 2019. But it won the Golden Globe and BAFTA for Best Picture and I genuinely don’t understand why. This could be a camera tutorial rather than a film, it lacks heart or charm or soul. It’s a very drab and boring watch. I had to play a little game with myself to see where the cuts are in order to keep myself engaged. BECAUSE IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T HEARD, IT LOOKS LIKE IT’S ALL ONE, LONG SHOT. But there’s a freaking fade to black half-way through the movie. The script is probably 80% ‘intense grunting’ and ‘heavy breathing’ because that is what the majority of 1917 is. 1917 is a feast for the eyes but not much else. It lacks anything that makes you care. Especially compared to the other nominees from 2019. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who isn’t really into World War I or really into cinematography/photography. I wanted to love it but it let me down.