Sam Mendes brings his newest film, Empire of Light, to the 2022 Telluride Film Festival for its world premiere. Below are initial social responses to the film starring Olivia Colman, Michael Ward, Toby Jones and Colin Firth.
Empire of Light is a beautifully grounded romance not just about the love for cinema but the people you connect with once you enter the theater doors. Colman delivers another magnificent performance, but it is Michael Ward who shines the brightest. It will tear your heart out. pic.twitter.com/916evNLpfb
— Ryan McQuade (@ryanmcquade77) September 3, 2022
Empire of Light is every bit as magical as the Telluride crowd are reporting. Olivia Colman has never been better – and boy, what an achievement that is – and Micheal Ward announces himself as a major talent. My heart also belongs to Toby Jones, and Mendes’s raw truth-telling.
— Joe Utichi (@joeutichi) September 3, 2022
EMPIRE OF LIGHT is Sam Mendes’ personal & loving ode to how cinema connects us all despite how different we all are. Olivia Colman is extraordinary & her chemistry with Micheal Ward is warm & tender. Vibrant cinematography & a gorgeously serene score that will fill your heart. pic.twitter.com/SrTohR1PUy
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) September 3, 2022
Olivia Colman is—even by her standards—astonishing in Mendes’s strange, sweet EMPIRE OF LIGHT, and is matched by a magical discovery in Micheal Ward. #Telluride
— David Canfield (@davidcanfield97) September 3, 2022
EMPIRE OF LIGHT is more than just a love letter to cinema (but oh, is it), and we get a gorgeous performance from Micheal Ward and another broiling, barn-burner one from Olivia Colman. #TellurideFilmFestival pic.twitter.com/kXBoZTFMkj
— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch) September 3, 2022
#EmpireofLight is a heartfelt ode to film, love, and the magic of the movie theater. The romance between Olivia Colman and Michael Ward is moving, just as Sam Mendes’ love of cinema does. Both projection booth scenes made me cry (my grandfather was a projectionist). #Telluride pic.twitter.com/L4T4vsZRoy
— Joey Magidson (@JoeyMagidson) September 3, 2022
Sam Mendes Empire of Light takes a bit to get where it’s going. But gets there it does. As you’d expect, Olivia Colman shines. Loved the choices at the end of the film. #TFF49#TellurideFilmFestival
— Michael Patterson (@Gort2) September 3, 2022
#EmpireOfLight is a love letter. Olivia Colman gives a career-best performance. Sam Mendes has made his most emotional and sentimental film. Lavish in every way.
— Clarence Moye (@ClarenceMoye) September 3, 2022
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