Empire of Light

It is difficult to know what to expect before watching Sam Mendes’s love letter to British cinema. Hailing from the scenic southern coast with an enormous heart, Empire of Light is a movie about a multitude of things, including racism, intergenerational relationships and mental illness, but all the while maintains an underlying sense of melancholy that is woven through it from curtain rise to curtain fall.

Starring some of the best names that British film has to offer, including Michael Ward, Colin Firth, Toby Jones and the utterly superb Olivia Colman, Empire of Light is set in the 1980s and follows the daily lives of staff working a cinema, slowly revealing the hidden secrets it holds and the darker history some of the employees possess. Hilary (Colman) is a quiet creature, living a reserved existence after her doctor prescribed her medication to help with her schizophrenia. Stephen (Ward) is a young black man hoping to make it into college and battles adversity around every corner, most significantly because of his race. The two form an unlikely companionship, but one that faces problems due to their personal circumstances and the political tensions of the period.

Mendes is making his first independent venture as both writer and director on Empire of Light, and the final product is a thoughtful ode to cinematic history. His screenplay presents exceptionally interesting social dynamics between all of the characters, not least the relationship between Stephen and Hilary, who is herself a very complex creation. The redemption arc that awaits both of the leading characters is truly a result worth waiting for; it’s ultimately very satisfying, as it is clear they both help each other grow into better versions of themselves.

The characters are brought to life with the utmost professionalism by Colman and Ward, who despite their age gap ooze chemistry and tension through the early scenes. The emotional accessibility of Stephen’s heart and Hilary’s fragility is what ties this feature together and it is their portrayals that make this possible. Firth adds a little bit of humorous spice as Mr Ellis, the self-righteous cinema manager, and the other supporting cast add a wholesome element to the movie. 

Again, Mendes has teamed up with the legendary Roger Deakins, who as always provided some wonderful cinematic shots for our eyes to behold, and the score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross sweeps you off you’re feet, transporting you back in time to the 1980s. However, you do find yourself asking for a little more from the plot: what is the grand story in this expedition? Empire of Light is small-scale but endeavours to tackle some very big themes, arising relatively victorious, but is it all a little too reserved?

This said, you cannot deny that Mendes has created a movie with a lot of warmth and heart, and when you are blessed with a cast of favourites such as this, failure seems impossible.

Guy Lambert

Empire of Light is released nationwide on 9^th January 2023.

Watch the trailer for Empire of Light here: