Empire of Light

This film might not be the ultimate tribute to all those who worked in theaters like the Empire, but I really enjoyed it. Sam Mendes has crafted an intimate drama that dabbles in a bit of everything without fully committing to any one genre, yet its melancholic vibe won me over. At times it’s a nod to the operation of cinemas in 80s England, sometimes a psychological drama, occasionally a romance, and even a bit of suspense given the era it’s set in. It’s true that it’s a mix of many things, but life can be like that. There’s an unorthodox charm to it, and Toby Jones’s role is absolutely fantastic. (26/04/2023)

Sam Mendes poetic, fragile and intimate. Empire of Light is a slow-moving film that explores the travails of personal life through Roger Deakins' haunting imagery and the minimalist setting of a single coastal street with an opulent cinema. Depression, loneliness, illness, racial issues, several strong themes are outlined in this slow-moving story of a handful of people sharing their troubles in a small British town. But the whole thing strikes me as perhaps too artsy, too static and lacking in energy. Olivia Colman gives a brilliant performance, but you can't find your way to most of the characters. (10/12/2023)