Empire of Light

Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: December 9, 2022

6.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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moviemitch96Dec 10, 2022

A romantic drama set against the backdrop of 1980s England, a woman (Olivia Colman) finds herself caught between an adulterous romance with her married boss (Colin Firth) and a young new employee (Michael Ward) at the theater she works at.A romantic drama set against the backdrop of 1980s England, a woman (Olivia Colman) finds herself caught between an adulterous romance with her married boss (Colin Firth) and a young new employee (Michael Ward) at the theater she works at. The film is also a testament to the lasting power and influence of cinema, especially in dark times. Written and directed by Sam Mendes ('1917', 'Skyfall', and many more), although a relatively straightforward film in certain regards, there's also plenty that's remarkable to admire here, from the gorgeous cinematography to the stellar performances from all involved, particularly Colman and even Ward in what should surely be seen as a breakout role for him. Supporting performances from Firth and Toby Jones also breathe great life into the film. It is a tad bit plodding at times storywise, but the film's overall impact and message is hard to ignore or deny. Overall, it's a remarkably crafted film with fine performances, cinematography, and production value all around, even if the story itself left a little to be desired.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Brent_MarchantDec 10, 2022

Sometimes a movie has all the elements of greatness in place but somehow just can’t seem to pull all the pieces together. Such is the case with writer-director Sam Mendes’s latest offering, an unfocused mélange of story threads that seemSometimes a movie has all the elements of greatness in place but somehow just can’t seem to pull all the pieces together. Such is the case with writer-director Sam Mendes’s latest offering, an unfocused mélange of story threads that seem haphazardly strung together in a 1980s period piece love story about the staff of a British resort town cinema infused with elements involving mental illness and growing racial violence and intolerance at the time. Sound like a mishmash of unrelated storylines? You bet, and the picture probably comes off better than it should, given the strengths of Roger Deakins’s superb cinematography, Trent Reznor’s ethereal score, and the outstanding performances of its ensemble cast, most notably Olivia Colman, a virtual sure-bet for an Oscar nomination. As in other works, such as “Revolutionary Road” (2008), Mendes has a knack for getting the most out of his resources even when the material comes up short, a trick he successfully pulls off again here. It’s unfortunate, however, that this obvious lover of film couldn’t manage to combine these elements in a way here that matches the brilliance of his truly great works, such as “American Beauty” (1999), “Skyfall” (2012) and “1917” (2019). Had the script gone through another round of revisions, that might have been the case, given that the writing really proves to be the downfall of this offering. For all its strengths, however, “Empire of Light” nevertheless comes up a disappointing effort, one that, regrettably, doesn’t live up to the pre-release hype showered upon it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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TVJerryDec 20, 2022

This film takes place almost entirely in a gorgeous Art Deco cinema in a small seaside town in England. Olivia Coleman plays the theater's quiet assistant manager, whose life changes when a young Black man (Michael Ward) comes to work. ThisThis film takes place almost entirely in a gorgeous Art Deco cinema in a small seaside town in England. Olivia Coleman plays the theater's quiet assistant manager, whose life changes when a young Black man (Michael Ward) comes to work. This is really an opportunity for Coleman to demonstrate her prowess, which she does to great effect. Writer/director Sam Mendes has crafted an intimate examination of her character's mental and emotional issues, while adding a touch of romance, an homage to cinema and a bit of racial stress. Mendes' skills combined with Coleman's performance create a sweet little character study.… Expand