It's only January and I've already seen 2 incredible films, both of which are up for lots of Oscars, including Best Picture.
First is 1917, directed by Sam Mendes.
I've been a huge fan of Mendes' work since American Beauty. And although most know him from Skyfall and Spectre, my favourites are his Bridge Project plays, specifically his glorious interpretation of Richard III starring Kevin Spacey.
He turned an extremely dry tale into something exhilarating, thanks to his knack for staging visually spectacular scenes, interpreting source material in an imaginative way, and drawing breath-taking performances from the cast.
He replicates this in 1917 - a jaw-dropping piece that combines technical prowess and unbelievable cinematography. The acting is more muted, of course, considering there're only 2 protagonists ( reduced to 1 before the halfway mark ) with minimal dialogue. Nevertheless, it is riveting and gut-wrenching, with lots of imagery that will stick in your memory forever.
A few segments which stood out: the German plane that crashed into an abandoned farm, the massacre in the trenches, and the finale with thousands of soldiers charging onto the battlefield.
And did anyone notice the significance of the milk Schofield collected from the cow at the farm?
Answer: it came in handy later on when he encountered the French girl caring for an abandoned baby.
I'm a fan of "aha!" moments so I liked that a lot.
I also have to say the entire experience reminded me of a video game. Definitely not meant as a criticism. I happen to love video games and used to play them when I was a kid / teenager. :)
Little Women is the complete opposite of 1917, but no less exquisite.
With a sizeable main cast, endless dialogue and scenes set in intimate settings, I found it extremely enjoyable.
I especially love how director and screenwriter Greta Gerwig adapted it for the big screen. Instead of filming everything in chronological order, she jumped between timelines and storylines repeatedly ( reminds me of The English Patient ).
While some may find this jarring, I thought it was a very creative way of juxtaposing each character's development at various points in their lives, especially the relationships involving Jo, Amy and Laurie.
Saoirse Ronan, who first impressed me in Atonement when she was only 12 years old, has always been what I call an old soul. She almost stole the movie from James McAvoy and Keira Knightley back in 2007, so it's no surprise that she now consistently headlines big productions which go on to win tonnes of accolades.
Her portrayal of Jo is so natural, beautiful and pure, infused with a strong will, a kind heart and high spirits. I found myself literally falling in love with her.
Florence Pugh is equally enchanting. Another actress I've been watching since her early work ( Lady Macbeth ), her Amy is fiery and stubborn, but eventually matures and wins the heart of the man she loves.
Last but not least is Timothee Chalamet, whom I've kept an eye on since 2017's Lady Bird and 2018's Call Me By Your Name.
Casting him as Laurie is absolute genius! He is so perfect in this role, I don't think anyone will ever be able to surpass it. ( Christian Bale doesn't even come close. )
Tim appears in many scenes but is never the same in each one. He shares wonderful chemistry with both Saoirse and Florence, and that pivotal moment when Laurie professes his love for Jo is a masterclass in acting.
Plus, he suits Victorian era attire very very well indeed! Much credit goes to costume designer Jacqueline Durran ( Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Anna Karenina, Beauty and the Beast, and also 1917! ) for creating such gorgeous outfits for the actors. I'm sure millions of girls are now swooning over Tim. :)
Special mention to Alexandre Desplat, who scored the movie. His previous credits include The King's Speech, The Shape Of Water, The Danish Girl, Unbroken and ( my personal favourite ) The Painted Veil. His music features prominently throughout Little Women, and prompted even my mother to comment how "beautiful" the soundtrack is.
Well-deserved Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Music Score and Best Costume Design!
Gerwig also earned one for Best Adapted Screenplay, but was glaringly and wrongly left out of the Best Director category. Boo...
I was initially rooting for 1917 to win Best Picture - which it will - but think Little Women is more worthy. Like the year Forrest Gump won, when it should've been The Shawshank Redemption.
You should watch both films and decide for yourself. I, for one, would like to say a big thank you to Gerwig for her outstanding interpretation of this timeless classic, which made me smile and cry for 2 hours, and also rekindled my interest in playing the piano again.
Good luck to everyone at the Oscars! ( But not The Irishman, which I didn't like. )
Next on my watch list: Marriage Story, The Two Popes and Joker.
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