Late reviews keep coming in from TIFF, and one score I did not expect to see was the 48% that Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light” currently has (based on 29 reviews).
Despite my negative 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 moviegoers told me they absolutely fell head over heels 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 role and set the film in a movie theatre. Cinema!
“Empire of Light” basically turns into a promo for well-kept, old-school movie palaces. The healing power of movies, they can cure your mental illness and make you rethink life, is what Mendes is essentially saying.
“Empire of Light” was one of many critical disappointments of the fall festival season. You can add it next to “Bardo” [55%], “The Son” [54%], “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” [42%], and “Blonde” [58%]
In comparison, “The Whale” [71%], a semi-disappointment itself, isn’t faring as bad with critics.