Review of Empire of Light (2022) by Moviemitch96 — 10 Dec 2022

A romantic drama set against the backdrop of 1980s England, a woman (Olivia Colman) finds herself caught between an adulterous romance with her married boss (Colin Firth) and a young new employee (Michael Ward) at the theater she works at.

The film is also a testament to the lasting power and influence of cinema, especially in dark times. Written and directed by Sam Mendes ('1917', 'Skyfall', and many more), although a relatively straightforward film in certain regards, there's also plenty that's remarkable to admire here, from the gorgeous cinematography to the stellar performances from all involved, particularly Colman and even Ward in what should surely be seen as a breakout role for him.

Supporting performances from Firth and Toby Jones also breathe great life into the film. It is a tad bit plodding at times storywise, but the film's overall impact and message is hard to ignore or deny.

Overall, it's a remarkably crafted film with fine performances, cinematography, and production value all around, even if the story itself left a little to be desired.