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)