Empire of Light - SPOILER-FREE Review | LFF 2022
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Directed by: Sam Mendes
Written by: Sam Mendes
Starring: Olivia Colman, Monica Dolan, Micheal Ward, Tom Brooke, Tanya Moodie, Hannah Onslow, Crystal Clarke, Toby Jones, Colin Firth
Runtime: 115 min
Synopsis: Hilary (Olivia Colman) manages a seafront picture palace. Once an opulent multiscreen cinema with a dance hall overlooking the sea, now only one screen remains open, albeit a grand one. In preparation for a regional premiere of Chariots of Fire, Hilary and her colleagues spruce up the venue. Outside, the town itself is crumbling, with a rising far-right presence and Stephen (Micheal Ward) regularly harassed by skinheads. A story about human connection and the magic of cinema.
Editor's Note: Original review was written for Firstshowing. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
Empire of Light works best as a love letter to the art of filmmaking and the theater experience. Brilliant performances. Astonishing to behold. Emotional to listen to - score is the technical highlight. Not so captivating narratively, considering that Sam Mendes' first solo script lacks depth in the most important themes. It's a beautiful tribute to the magic of cinema that cinephiles will enjoy, but for viewers less passionate about the 7th art, it might be difficult to genuinely care.
