What Is the Story About?
Empire of Light is a romantic drama film set in an English coastal town in the early 1980s. The film follows Hilary Small, duty manager at Empire Cinemas trying to nudge her way through dull, monotonous and depressive daily life and Stephen Murray, the new employee at Empire Cinemas. The film sees the two navigating ups and downs and coming closer together amidst most turbulent times and the power of cinema.
Performances?
Olivia Colman is the heart and soul of the film. Nailing each of Hilary Small’s nuances, her emotional and mental outbreaks eccentricities, and presenting an easily unlikeable character as a warm ball of sunshine, takes some effort and if not for Colman the character would’ve not been this impactful.
Analysis
Written and directed by Sam Mendes, Empire of Light follows a middle aged woman named Hilary who works a duty manager at Empire Cinemas and Stephen, a new joiner. Prominently treated as an ode to Cinema, the titular protagonist of Empire of Light is Empire Cinemas, that witnesses the ups and downs of both Hilary and Stephen, individually and together.
Empire of Light is set in 1980, in and around Empire Cinema, Margate, on the north coast of the English county of Kent. Hilary Small, who struggles with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, leads a solitary life. She also un-willingly indulges in extramarital sex with her boss Donald Ellis.
This is when Stephen, a Black British man joins Empire. He lives with his mother Delia who works as a nurse. His undeniable charm takes Hilary off-guard and the two begin bonding at the Cinema’s unused and now-closed upper floor. The two welcome the new year together from the Cinema roof and spark a sexual relationship. Hilary finds herself doing well and happy, and no longer needing medication to her mental health condition.
Consistently being at the receiving end of racism, Stephen opens up to Hilary and vice-versa. However, Hilary storms out and almost faces a break down as Stephen begins asking her about her past.
Slowly, Hilary’s mental health begins deteriorating and Stephen-Hilary’s relationship takes an upsetting and absurd turn post the Screening of ‘Chariots of Fire’. The two starts drifting apart with Hilary unwilling to meet or talk to anyone. She corners herself within her home and suffers breakdown episodes one after the other.
One of the best assets of Empire of Light is its cast. Each of them puts their best foot forward and churns charming and tender performances. But despite that, Empire of Light suffers from pointlessness in its narrative throughout. It does talk about the healing nature of cinema and also mentions racism, but what exactly was Sam Mendes trying to convey in the film is still a matter to ponder upon.
Empire of Light is no doubt engaging, but is it an honest ode to Cinema? No. Is it a honest portrayal of romance in Britain’s most turbulent social and political conditions? No. Does the film have any takeaway? No. At the end of the day, one could feel nothing from the film and its climax. The screenplay is so sloggy, and so is the editing.
Nevertheless, watch Empire of Light for Roger Deakin’s cinematography and Olivia Colman’s exceptional act as Hilary Small. One of the undeniable greats of English Cinema today, the actress Seamlessly blends to any character with finesse and makes every average watch, better.
Other Artists?
The entire cast of Empire of Light does a good job. Michael Ward as the young blood, enraged at being at the receiving end of racism and persistently eager to learn and grow anchors Colman’s Hilary with ease. Their scenes together are delightful and carries so much heart. Toby Jones and Norman, Tom Brooke as Neil, Tanya Moodie as Delia Murray and Crystal Clarke as Ruby are all tender and such pleasant performances.
Music and Other Departments?
Roger Deakins’ frames are a thing of a beauty. Apart from the main-cast, if there’s any department that the film wins and wins all over it’s the camera work. The music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ros sets the mood of the film adequately.
Highlights?
Olivia Colman
Rest of the Cast
Roger Deakins’ Cinematography
Music
Drawbacks?
Dishonest Writing
Sloggy screenplay
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, in parts.
Will You Recommend It?
Yes but with reservations. There’s some stunning frames and blocking in the film apart from the performances and music. Also the film is engaging mostly.
Empire of Light Movie Review by Binged Bureau
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
