Empire of Light - Olivia Colman & Sam Mendes

[Pieter V]

Olivia Colman and Micheal Ward star in this poignant story about human connection and the magic of cinema, directed by Sam Mendes and captured by cinematographer Roger Deakins.
The Empire is the kind of movie house you don’t see too often anymore, framed by bright lights and a beautiful marquee, graciously inviting all into its red-velvet seats. Hilary (Olivia Colman) serves at the front of house, opening the theatre every morning and overseeing a brimming concession stand. Meanwhile, her manager (Colin Firth) calls her into his office from time to time for illicit favours. It’s a gloomy routine that Hilary grudgingly repeats, but all her co-workers recognize that she’s been a lot quieter since returning to the job after a long absence.

When Stephen (Micheal Ward) arrives as an eager new employee, the two form a quick, if outwardly unlikely, connection. Hilary hides a troubled past, struggling to manage her mental health, while Stephen, a young Black man, grapples with the racism rampant in 1980s Britain. Both wounded by aggressions outside their control, they find an escape and safe harbour in one another — but their relationship, like the Empire cinema itself, cannot last forever, and soon the pair must face the reality of their differing futures.

Ward gives an exceptional performance opposite Colman, who realizes another remarkable character, equal parts sweet and shocking, as a woman filled with emotions that are considered socially inappropriate to express. Master cinematographer Roger Deakins exquisitely photographs the inhabitants of this story, created with great tenderness and compassion by writer-director Sam Mendes, making Empire of Light a love letter to the people who come together under the glow of the cinema, and to the beautiful tales they take away for the rest of their lives.

JANE SCHOETTLE

Content advisory: racialized violence, racist language, and themes of mental distress

https://tiff.net/events/empire-of-light/

New updated runtime: 119 minutes.

Bring on that trailer. Can't wait.

[Cremildo]

Empire of Light | Official Teaser - YouTube

[Modren]

Love how the trailer is a whole nostalgic, wistful narration about film projection and the movie's shot on digital.

That said, it does look interesting, and obviously Deakins is a genius.

[Cremildo]

[BluCollector13]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Empire of Light | Official Teaser - YouTube

Even though it was shot digitally, this looks like it would be stunning to see on film. Maybe if Mendes wants it, he can convince Disney to strike some, like Del Toro and Branagh did for "Nightmare Alley" and "Death on the Nile".

Also looks like this could be the one to beat at the Oscars this year.

[Cremildo]

Most reactions thus far are positive; expect another Oscar nod for Colman.

+

Metacritic

[Pieter V]

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/empire_of_light

[Pieter V]

Sam Mendes Acceptance Speech | TIFF TRIBUTE AWARDS PRESENTED BY BVLGARI 2022 - YouTube

[Hedrox]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

Most reactions thus far are positive; expect another Oscar nod for Colman.

...Barely. Wouldn't be surprised if this drops into Rotten once it goes wide and more people see it.

It will be forgotten by the time the Oscars hit.

[Pieter V]

EMPIRE OF LIGHT Q&A | TIFF 2022 - YouTube

[Pieter V]

The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) is thrilled to reveal that Empire of Light will be presented as the Opening Night Film of WIFF 2022. Directed by Oscar-Winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty; Skyfall), this story is about the love of movies stars Oscar-Winners Olivia Colman and Colin Firth

https://windsorfilmfestival.com/empi...2022%ef%bf%bc/

[Member-244966]

This one has real high highs and real low lows. A mixed bag but the lead performances and cinematography are incredible.

I agree it's Oscar chances are mostly out the window, but Olivia Colman will for sure get nominated, and I'd love it if Roger Deakins got a nom too.

[Paul.R.S]

No IMAX this time. Due to smaller budget / Searchlight?

[Dubstar]

I saw this a few weeks back, I had the same feelings about this alongside 1917, he should stick with directing but NOT scriptwriting - it's very surface deep. It didn't impress me that much, very average.

[Cremildo]

EMPIRE OF LIGHT | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures - YouTube

[unberechenbar]

Saw the trailer before The Banshees of Inisheerin. For some reason I thought the movie had already come out as a limited release.

[MifuneFan]

Ouch, this looks to be Mendes' worst rated film by far. Currently sitting at 45% aggregate at RT, and 53 at Metacritic. I haven't watched the full trailer yet, but I quite liked the teaser trailer for it.

edit: Watched the full trailer now, and I liked what I saw though you can't tell much about the premise based on it. Great song in it, and that Deakins cinematography looks so good.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

So I'm guessing this is one of those films that will be on 5 screens and VOD 2 weeks later. Cause why bother even bother putting stuff in theaters anymore.

[Paul.R.S]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

edit: Watched the full trailer now, and I liked what I saw though you can't tell much about the premise based on it. Great song in it, and that Deakins cinematography looks so good.

I don't know if the trailer you saw is the one I saw (again!) in a theater tonight (in front of the outstanding Nanny) but IMO it's rife with pretentious overpromise, including the big music (score from another picture not source music) that I don't think is used in the film.

[Pi905]

I loved this. It's a movie primarily about being human, how we deal with our own imperfections, and how we help one another to grow. It's also a nice love letter to cinema. Gorgeously shot and scored, with lots of subtle interactions that carry a lot of emotion.