I have already heard three first-hand accounts from people who have actually seen Sam Mendes’ “1917.” Two of them were from a test-screening that occurred in Jersey two weeks ago and the third from a well-seasoned awards pundit (initials P.H.) — all three used the “M” word to describe their feelings on it. The buzz is deafening for this film, so much so that I’m now hearing an exclusive just-for-press screening is about to occur in the coming days in Los Angeles, with New York not too far behind.
A moviegoer who saw the film at the Jersey test-screening told me the VFX looked 90% complete. I do wonder if Universal Pictures, who are distributing the film, will want to premiere ‘1917’ at this upcoming November’s AFI film festival. It would kickstart a Best Picture campaign just a few minutes away from the Kodak Theater (where the Oscars take place).
As far as I’m concerned, there is no frontrunner for Best Picture; Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” is the de facto leader of the board, but who are we kidding here, Baumbach’s film, despite critical acclaim, isn’t a film that the Academy’s voters will wholeheartedly embrace. It remains a Baumbach through and through. As for Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” I’m about to watch it right now … But a 3 and a half hour Netflix movie will be a hard sell for unanimous acclaim. Stay tuned.