By Stuart Adelberg
A few weeks ago, the Avon family received an unanticipated pre-holiday gift. We were notified that Academy Award winning writer and director Sam Mendes had offered to make a short video encouraging movie lovers to see his latest film EMPIRE OF LIGHT at the Avon Theatre Film Center! This beautiful film focuses on a group of people who work in an old movie house, and though the story goes well beyond the venue, the cinema impacts each of their lives in significant ways. Experiencing the film at the Avon made the story so much more meaningful than it would have been anywhere else, just as Sam Mendes said it would! Most of us already love our historic theatre, but it was very nice to have a video endorsement from a true expert!
Unfortunately, if you’re reading this column in early January, you have already missed the opportunity to see EMPIRE OF LIGHT at the Avon Theatre. But, since we know that today’s video on demand technology provides an afterlife for every film that lasts much longer than its theatrical run, you can certainly watch this wonderful movie at home, and though it won’t be quite as special as it would have been at the theatre, I sincerely hope that you do!
As per the script, the Empire Theatre is staffed by an interesting mix of people, each of them with a story of their own. The film stars Olivia Colman who gives a stellar performance as a dedicated theatre manager struggling with her mental health. Colman is one of those actresses who so completely embodies every character she portrays that it is difficult to believe her multiple roles have been played by the same person. Some actors become so defined by a specific type of role that it is hard to see them play anything different. I don’t believe that will ever happen to Olivia Colman.
The other standout of the film is Micheal Ward who plays an eager new employee of the cinema with dreams of a better life beyond their small, racially tense town. Ward has a commanding presence and is incredibly likable on the screen. We feel his pain, his longing, and his enthusiasm. And I found myself genuinely happy to see Colman and Ward’s characters connect and touch each other in ways they didn’t know they each needed.
Of course, the real star of EMPIRE OF LIGHT is the cinema. It is where the players all thrive, where they are safe and comfortable, where they are free to share their dreams. The outside world presents real challenges to every one of Mendes’ unique and well-constructed characters. But it is in the confines of the Empire Theatre that they are free to enjoy each other’s company, to joke around, to support each other, to be themselves. And yes, at one point, to lose their troubles by becoming completely absorbed in the movie of the week.
I have used many of my past columns to describe and applaud the amazing ability of a quality film on the big screen to take us away from our daily concerns, to transport us from today’s challenges and to inspire us with ideas and events from another time and place. Sam Mendes said it much better than I ever could both in his beautiful film, and, of course, in his wonderful Avon video! As we say goodbye to 2022, I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with the inspirational, meaningful, and transformational experiences of a magical film enjoyed in the company of others in a beautiful cinema!
