Synopsis
The duty manager of a seaside cinema, who is struggling with her mental health, forms a relationship with a new employee on the south coast of England in the 1980s.
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Cast
- Olivia ColmanHilary
- Micheal WardStephen
- Toby JonesNorman
- Colin FirthDonald Ellis
- Tom BrookeNeil
- Tanya MoodieDelia
- Hannah OnslowJanine
- Crystal ClarkeRuby
- Monica DolanRosemary Bates
- Ron CookMr. Cooper
Recommendations
- 83
Entertainment Weekly
Colman, her eyes darting between hope and devastation, is so lit-up and specific (and funny, a quality that doesn't seem to get mentioned enough) that she lifts nearly every scene. - 80
Variety
In the era when content is king, Sam Mendes still believes in moving pictures. Empire of Light is the proof. - 80
The Guardian
Empire of Light is a sweet, heartfelt, humane movie, which doesn’t shy away from the brutality and the racism that was happening in the streets outside the cinema. - 80
Screen Daily
Empire Of Light is a sentimental film – the piano-heavy score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross advertises that from the opening bars – but its message of love, tolerance and finding family wherever you can should make an impact in darkened rooms wherever it plays. - 75
The Playlist
Despite Deakins and Mendes’ shorthand in framing gorgeous images, there are moments, especially in the second act, where the film could simply use a bit more energy. Luckily, for Mendes, Colman provides it soon after and when the movie needs it most. - 70
The Hollywood Reporter
Nothing in the film has a fraction of the dramatic impact of the emotional roller-coaster Colman’s performance embodies. - 60
Total Film
As terrific as Colman is, however, the film around her has a schematic and engineered quality not too dissimilar from Jones’ prized projectors. - 50
TheWrap
Empire of Light feels more like a sweet experiment on nostalgia and memory than an articulate film with something to say.
