Empire of Light

Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: December 9, 2022

5.8	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Ratings

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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

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jjjjoshJan 10, 2023

Not for me. Don't want to watch again. Well made and well acted. Quite slow. Not much happens. Maybe recommend for someone who likes
80s nostalgia
80s Cinemas nostalgia
Cinematography

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JLuis_001Dec 16, 2022

While 1917 wasn't going to become a staple of Sam Mendes' career, this had been quite an exhilarating film after his foray into Bond, but I really didn't expect its successor to be such an unfocused film that struggles to find a rhythm and,While 1917 wasn't going to become a staple of Sam Mendes' career, this had been quite an exhilarating film after his foray into Bond, but I really didn't expect its successor to be such an unfocused film that struggles to find a rhythm and, above all, life in the face of a beginning that feels dull and monotonous.

While the film doesn't quite fall apart, and though I have to give some credit to his directing, it's really Olivia Colman who saves the day with an impeccable performance.

All in all, Empire of Light is technically flawless and its cast is more than adequate, it's just that the ensemble fails to achieve a spark of genius that would make it a better film.

At least Mendes made sure we got another Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross soundtrack. He got some extra points from me because of that.… Expand

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Mauro_LanariFeb 9, 2023

(Mauro Lanari)
Olivia Colman is the female counterpart of Casey Affleck: if there are them, there must be a drama, more often a false drama. A big melodrama, from which Mendes never separated. He achieved his greater success with works in(Mauro Lanari)
Olivia Colman is the female counterpart of Casey Affleck: if there are them, there must be a drama, more often a false drama. A big melodrama, from which Mendes never separated. He achieved his greater success with works in which political subtext and social overview were openly current, while in this case he starts from Thatcher, "Quadrophenia" (Roddam '79), the decadence of the British "Empire", unsolved but contextualized problems in a historical period that today is perceived as distant. A reflux of directors towards the autobiography and nostalgic cinephilia is taking place, that is towards the projection room which sheds light in the darkness, art as the last beacon of a civilization at sunset. Conceited? Probably yes, and the protagonists are also badly outlined, abstract, cerebral: Hilary is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, maybe instead it is simple SSDD ("same **** different day") and the remedy suggested by the film is still that of "Being There" (Ashby '79). Anyway her characterization is cloying, Mendes settles for the atmospheric and asks her for sex scenes that she herself believed "unnecessary to advance the plot".… Expand

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royalguy07Dec 22, 2022

Absolutely wonderfully framed and shot (its Deakins) and Olivia Coleman is still the best actor working full stop even though Mendes maybe gives her 5 too many "going for the Oscar" moments/scenes. I think I almost had a stroke when aAbsolutely wonderfully framed and shot (its Deakins) and Olivia Coleman is still the best actor working full stop even though Mendes maybe gives her 5 too many "going for the Oscar" moments/scenes. I think I almost had a stroke when a suggested treatment for mental illness, sadness, and shame was to "See a movie in a theater".… Expand

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