Just saw this at one of the limited screenings at Inwood Theater in Dallas.
Still digesting that experience after a 40 minute drive back to McKinney, which should tell you something. Unfortunately I know some of the impact will be lost being watched on TVs and laptops, but at least in the theater that was a very, very hard-hitting experience. Incredible acting by the main cast, especially the lead. Incredible set design, effects, photography, and score as well. Maybe as time passes and I see it again I'll notice flaws but after that viewing it struck me as a very solid war movie.
It's been a while since I've read the novel but I believe that was a pretty faithful adaptation for the most part. As one would expect it is incredibly graphic, but even having gone in expecting that I was still shocked and mortified by parts. It just hits hard, as it was intended to. I could imagine it might really trigger combat vets, so I'd caution anyone with combat PTSD to use discretion.
That just became arguably the best WWI movie produced to date, certainly better than 1917. I'm trying to figure out where it stands in terms of other war movies in general and it is up there probably in my top 5.
If you can see this on a big screen near you in the next few days, do it. Now I'm going to watch some cartoons before I fall asleep to numb that trauma.