Empire of Light
2022, drama, love
115 minutes
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.
By similar critics
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By other critics
8.0
2023-01-04
This is a class film to kick off 2023 with. Although a tough watch in places, the film is exquisitely crafted and is a love letter from Sam Mendes to the cinema of his (and my!) youth. Read more
7.0
2023-01-10
Despite the vintage cinematography and Colman’s performance, Empire of Light is not a masterpiece. A dull script, penned by Mendes himself, prevents both the romance and the racial issues from developing full-blossom. Read more
6.0
2023-02-27
There are a few lovely things in this film that make it easier for us to forgive its shortcomings. But so you know, Empire of Light is no magic movie. Read more
5.0
2023-01-16
Empire of Light’s majestic aesthetics are sorely spoiled by the clumsy broad strokes of its screenplay. Sam Mendes should stick to directing only in future and leave the scripts well alone, as even a solid leading turn from national treasure Olivia Colman isn’t enough to salvage the film. Read more
4.0
2022-12-11
Empire of Light is trite and somber, seriously lacking the magical quality and sparkle that the glorious poster promises. Read more
4.0
2022-12-07
That escapist magic, while plenty special as we all know, is as fleeting as the permeating effect attempted in Empire of Light. The private and civil issues present in this film cannot be fixed and are not fixed by silver screen sorcery. Read more
3.0
2022-12-28
Through Hilary and Stephen's relationship we get two awful tropes – the white saviour and the magic negro, with each serving to rescue the other. Read more
In other languages
8.0
2023-07-03
Het verhaal is een beetje voorspelbaar maar visueel is de film pareltje. Elke scène lijkt als het ware een schilderij dat tot leven komt. Vaak zit je met open mond te kijken naar wat zich voor je ogen afspeelt. Read more
6.0
2023-04-05
Empire of Light is Oscar bait in zijn puurste vorm, maar Mendes’ ode aan de filmkunst mist juist de befaamde filmmagie. Read more
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