X
- 2021
- PG-13
- Amazon Prime Video
- 1 h 51 m
- 2021
- PG-13
- Amazon Prime Video
- 1 h 51 m
Summary The extraordinary true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose playful, sometimes even psychedelic pictures helped to transform the public's perception of cats forever. Moving from the late 1800s through to the 1930s, we follow the incredible adventures of this inspiring, unsung hero, as he seeks to unl...
Directed By: Will Sharpe
Written By: Simon Stephenson, Will Sharpe
- 2021
- PG-13
- Amazon Prime Video
- 1 h 51 m
- 2021
- PG-13
- Amazon Prime Video
- 1 h 51 m
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
63
7.1
Where to Watch
Summary The extraordinary true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose playful, sometimes even psychedelic pictures helped to transform the public's perception of cats forever. Moving from the late 1800s through to the 1930s, we follow the incredible adventures of this inspiring, unsung hero, as he seeks to unl...
Directed By: Will Sharpe
Written By: Simon Stephenson, Will Sharpe
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 36 Critic Reviews
63
58% Positive
21 Reviews
21 Reviews
36% Mixed
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
6% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 36 Critic Reviews
63
58% Positive
21 Reviews
21 Reviews
36% Mixed
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
6% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is also disarmingly tender, blessed with a deep affectation for its subject that feels fuller and more romantic in its nature than straightforward respect.
Louis is a funny, complicated character, and while the movie could have expanded its horizons (particularly in view of the changes roiling the art world), Cumberbatch fills in this expressionistic portrait exquisitely.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 38 User Ratings
7.1
68% Positive
26 Ratings
26 Ratings
24% Mixed
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
8% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 38 User Ratings
7.1
68% Positive
26 Ratings
26 Ratings
24% Mixed
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
8% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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A curious, poignant blend of auteurial whimsy & biopic. Cumberbatch in his wheelhouse but oh SO good at it, a grounded Foy (together making magic), and the great Toby Jones. Can’t wait to see where director Will Sharpe goes next. A unique visionary.
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The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is so utterly charming and buoyant that it makes even the frustrating aspects of the film forgivable.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is often quite charming and sweet. But there's an undercurrent of sadness running through the entire affair, and even when the film tries to convince us that there were good times among the bad, it's hard not to think how awful life must have been for several characters here.
The distinctive charms of Wain’s aesthetic certainly come over, especially daubed across the lovely end credits, by which time this jumpy curio, with almost palpable relief, has laid itself to rest.
You can certainly respect Sharpe for taking a big swing in this regard, but he can’t bring the proceedings back to earth when the audience needs some sort of emotional investment. This also ends up hampering Cumberbatch, who is giving one of the most committed performances of his life, but only to find it buried under all of the film’s extracurricular aspects.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain tells its story with sympathy, but too many quirks and try-hard flourishes. In the welter and spin of tics, voice-overs, set pieces, images, flashbacks and dream states, the man himself gets as lost as a kitten in the rain.
The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain is a beautiful looking film that amazingly written and perform, it's an amazing true story film that captured exactly the same like what Louis Wain himself do, as a painter, the movie looks gorgeously shot and sometimes the shot is really like a real beautiful painting, it's so gorgeous, Benedict Cumberbatch performance is simply one of his best, the score was beautiful, and despite one cons of the film that i have which there is some quite a lot of scene in the film that feels slow but not bad, the movie overall is still great.
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The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain – Challenges Us To Feel Some films can firmly claim to be one-of-a-kind, such as; ‘The Life of Pi’, then there’s this one, about a painter I had not heard of from the late eighteen hundreds. Louis was a tortured fellow bordering on several psychotic spectrums while being extremely gifted in the arts, etc - leaving behind his remarkable (and much copied) Cat paintings that took the era by storm. Its style is dazzling all the way, and impresses on many levels – it starts off with a rather convoluted opening, that may not suit viewers with a short attention span or an impatience for understanding what drives a character’s actions. This is a fact-based story running the gamut of human emotions - seeking to open doorways into the lives of troubled souls who existed during unsympathetic, and rather medically ignorant times (think also of Van Gogh). Production design, performances, cinematography and, music are exemplary, leaving patient audiences with a unique and precious gift. Director, co-writer, Japanese/English Will Sharp is no stranger to Bipolar disorders being type 11, and injects powerful understandings into Louis’s character. Will’s brother, Arthur Sharp, imparts wonderful emotional support supplying a stand-out Theremin based music score. Story writer Simon Stephenson has created a rich human experience giving us much to feel and think about (perhaps there’s also a nod to Australian pop artist Martin Sharp here). One aspect that created a little disappointment was the decision to photograph in a variation of the old 4 x 3 frame. It added nothing to the story, in fact, gave the film a cramped, claustrophobic feel, that can be better achieved in production design. Modern moviemakers sometimes, mistakenly, think they need to go backward - away from the vast improvements in aspect ratios, this can sacrifice vital elements within their work. The end credits were neat but why so small? Otherwise, it’s quite a special experience from Studio Canal and Amazon Studios.
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A dedicated performance by Benedict Cumberbatch fails to elevate this uneven drama that desperately seeks a direction.
The contrived tone that pervades most of its running time makes me wonder if this was the approach intended by its makers, or if they simply never sought to give the material more seriousness.
Either way the mix is not the most adequate, but at least the work of the cast is enough to keep the rest of the story from getting lost in oblivion so easily.
However, I doubt this film will be mentioned again in the future when talking about them and their work.
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Amazing film and amazing acting - cried throughout. Benedict plays this role incredibly.
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Production Company
Amazon Studios,
Film4,
Shoebox Films,
StudioCanal,
SunnyMarch
Release Date Oct 22, 2021
Duration 1 h 51 m
Rating PG-13
Awards
British Independent Film Awards
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
London Critics Circle Film Awards
• 3 Nominations
Columbus Film Critics Association
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
