Empire of Light

Anyone who goes to see "Empire of Light" expecting another cosy movie about the love of cinema, both the medium and the building, will be sadly disappointed since Sam Mendes' superb new movie is about so much more. Yes, it's a love letter to all aspects of 'cinema' but it's also about racism and mental illness, lonliness and our ability to connect and it works on all these levels. The setting is an unnamed town on England's South Coast in the early 1980's and the Picture Palace in question, (the Dreamland Cinema in Margate standing in for the Empire), really is a Picture Palace of the old school, (well, the bits of it that are open to the public are, at least), and Hilary, (an Oscar-worthy Olivia Colman), is the unhappy, lonely and mentally challenged duty manager who has allowed herself to drift into a casual sexual relationship with her married boss, (Colin Firth), and who now finds herself drawn to a new young employee who happens to be black, (Michael Ward, excellent). Today, even with the age difference between them, this wouldn't be thought of as a problem but this was the early '80's and the National Front were on the march and Mendes' 'romance' doesn't shy away from the racism directed at Ward's character or from Hilary's mental problems. But this isn't a glum picture. Gorgeously photographed by Roger Deakins it is indeed a love letter to the movies and if like me you don't go stir crazy over "Stir Crazy", the joys of "Being There" should draw you in. Beautifully written, (also by Mendes), directed and acted, (as another employee Tom Brooke is also outstanding), this moving and intelligent picture really shouldn't be missed.

"Empire of Light" is one well done drama as after you watch you feel touched by the performance of one Olivia Colman and you also see that love and unlikely friendship is possible for anyone. Set in an England coastal town in the early 80's you have the setting at an old rundown weathered cinema in which cinema manager Hilary(Colman) deals with work and behind the scenes work issues, while have personal issues that involve mental health. Really she's still searching for meaning and belonging. As this picture shows as is so common in life connection and love is often about chance and timing, as things change for Hilary when Stephen(Micheal Ward) a young man enters her world when he starts working as a ticket taker at the cinema. Sparks fly between the two in the form of love and hot passion a connection that will never be forgotten, however the relationship deals with the stormy social problems of the town and Hilary's personal problems come full circle. Overall the film is a pleasure and joy to watch due to the blunt and brash direct performance from Olivia Colman. The feel and message I took from after watching is that bonding and connection is possible with timing and chance and possible for anyone and it's impact is memorable as it's standing is long in memory.

The movie "Empire of Light" is filled with metaphors about human relationships. Writer and director Sam Mendes does a beautiful and sensitive job of bringing two socially marginalized individuals together through the art of film, music, and poetry. Hilary (Olivia Colman), a movie theater manager is suffering from mental illness and Stephen (Micheal Ward), a movie theater helper is suffering racial discrimination in the community. Two worlds apart that together manage to understand each other's pain. Olivia Colman's interpretation is once again absolutely perfect, she manages to convey all the pain of her character without uttering a word, only through her body language. A beautiful soundtrack that helps enhance the mood of the movie.