As a film that has gained much fanfare and a handful of prestigious Awards to date (Golden Globe and (BAFTA awards for best picture and a host of technical awards among them), '1917' has naturally aroused Oscar interests soaring high. So what's new? And what are the bets ? Following review of the film is offered from these perspectives.

Here's a story of two British soldiers Tom Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and William Schofield (George Mackay) who are tasked to deliver an urgent message from General Erinmore (Colin Firth) to Colonel Mackenzie ( Benedict Cumberbatch), battalion commander of 2nd Devonshire (where Blake's brother Joseph Blake is a Lieutenant), in a battle zone across French border during World War I. The message that they carry is to stop attack on a German fleet - which is on a tactical withdrawal to counter attack - in order to avoid a big showdown and heavy bloodshed.

Would seem to be a fine enough plot for a 120 minutes movie, which has its real time-span of over a day. The time-span would also justify the 'single shot' appeal that the movie presents. Obviously, there would be a lot of action, fighting, fireworks and adrenaline infused in between that would provide the movie ticket's worth. Not to mention of the superior cinematography (Roger Deakins of 'Blade Runner' fame), the matching background music (Thomas Newman) and the mesmerising editing by Lee Smith (remember it's single shot?).

But then, sub plots and dialogues are what makes a worthy screenplay. Here Sam Mendes (Director himself, who had the advantage of the story being told to him by his Grandfather) provides some twists and turns to the story, so that the film does not appear too plain and stale. So we have a trip-wired bunker coming down, thanks to a rat - but nothing happening to our protagonists; an aircraft dogfight, which ends up with the shot down German aircraft falling straight into the feet of our watching young soldiers, and Blake getting stabbed by the German pilot when he tries to save him (why? especially when the Geneva conventions are still far-away?); Schofield collecting a flask of fresh milk from the scene, only to be handed over to the French woman Lauri (Claire Duburcq) who was caring an unknown baby; a bogged British vehicle which is salvaged thanks to efforts by Scofield; plenty of missed shots by German snipers; finally, Sho' managing to get across to Colonel Mackenzie and stopping the attack; and Sho' being able to meet and convey the sad news of his brother's death to Lt Blake.

But sadly, the subplots manage to neither further nor enhance the plots. Some of them seem too deliberate - for example, the milk and the coincidental baby scenes, which had little or no impact on the movie's progression. And the dialogues are too insipid, carrying little or no punch. The film doesn't leave an impression on you, either as an adventure or an anti war saga. It ends up as wasted emotions and efforts, inspite of the great audio visuals that the movie presents (thanks to its team of technicians).

So what about the Oscars - well, your guess is as bad as mine!