Reviews keep trickling in for Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light”, but one score I did not expect to see was the 46% it currently has on Rotten Tomatoes (based on 54 reviews). The film now has a full-length trailer.
Despite my mixed take, I was under the impression that it was well-received by TIFF audiences. Critics had their daggers ready for this film, but more than a few Toronto and Telluride moviegoers told me they absolutely fell head over heels in love for ‘Empire’.
It does feature gorgeous photography from Roger Deakins, who is a total rock star. However, I am not entirely sure what the point of “Empire of Light” was, other than to give Olivia Colman a major showcase, show how bigoted the 1980s were in the UK and to set the film in a movie theatre. Cinema!
“Empire of Light” basically turns into a promo for well-kept, old-school movie palaces, almost to the point of parodying the Nicole Kidman AMC promo. The healing power of movies, they can cure your mental illness and make you rethink life, is what Mendes is essentially saying here.
“Empire of Light” has Colman playing a lonely theatre manager suffering from schizophrenia. Colin Firth cameos as the owner of the theatre who takes advantage of Colman's character, both sexually and emotionally. Michael Ward is the young new employee who starts working there. Colman's character shows him the ropes and the day to day tasks. They eventually embark on a romantic relationship.
The film initially premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in September and then went on to screen at TIFF, BFI and AFI. Next up, it premieres in U.S. theaters December 9.