Sam Mendes‘ latest, Empire of Light, is far from the action spectacle of Skyfall. It is a sweet and personal tale that centers around a struggling movie theatre. The film stars the brilliant Olivia Colman in a stunning performance. Along with the Oscar winner, Light features a talented cast, including Micheal Ward, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, and Tanya Moodie. Empire connected with this viewer. It’s a touching film, but it certainly doesn’t lack in beauty, as you might expect from one of Mendes’ films – along with cinematographer Roger Deakins. So yes, this one is pretty too.
I was excited to do the interviews for this film. As a fan of the filmmakers, I questioned whether he’d mention the Skyfall poster behind me. He did, and it started a very engaging conversation with Sam and Olivia Colman. Her director praised her excellent work as she talked about connecting to this complex character. Yet the way she discussed it was so incredibly humble that it was impossible not to be charmed by her. It was clear that the two enjoyed working together from speaking with this sensational pair. And it was also fun hearing what Sam had to say regarding Fight Club and his own movie.
Next up, we spoke to the talented twosome, Micheal Ward and Tanya Moodie. What is interesting about the impressive performance of Ms. Moodie is that she has very little screen time. Yet she shines in the moments she does. As for Mr. Ward, the actor is terrific, playing off of Ms. Colman. The two create a warm and delicate on-screen romance. Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light is currently playing in a theatre near you, and if you are a cinema fan, you may appreciate what this has to offer.