Searchlight Pictures has unveiled the theatrical trailer for writer-director Sam Mendes’ new film, “Empire of Light.” The first teaser, released on August 24, focused on Toby Jones speaking poetically about the visual science of film. However, this trailer is more plot-specific, highlighting the central romance between Olivia Colman (2018 Oscar winner for “The Favourite”) and Michael Ward (BAFTA Rising Star winner, who turns 25 this Friday).
This 99-second trailer mostly avoids the “power of movies” hook, focusing on its lonely lead and the young man she falls in love with while working together at a local movie theater. There are hints of racial conflict and ill-fated love amid the social unrest of the 1980s in the south of England, but the main focus is on several critical quotes that underscore the acclaim the film has received thus far.
The film is part of the awards season run, but early reviews have been mixed negative (45% rotten and 6.1/10 on Rotten Tomatoes) with much of the early applause going to the performances and stunning cinematography in Roger Deakins. The film would be a commercial gamble with even better reviews, as it’s an original character drama with no lead stars and opens alongside high-profile awards season contenders like “Babylon” and “The Whale.”
Nonetheless, it’s also the kind of movie critics and movie lovers alike hope Walt Disney will continue to make under the Searchlight Pictures banner. Searchlight’s consistent presence at the Oscars (including Best Picture awards for “Slumdog Millionaire” in 2009, “12 Years A Slave” in 2014, “Birdman” in 2015, “The Shape of Water” in 2017 and “Nomadland ” in 2021) is a key reason to keep the subdivision around.
The R-rated adult drama also stars Colin Firth and marks Mendes’ first film as a solo writer/director. It’s Mendes’ first since his WWI action drama “1917,” which garnered rave reviews and grossed a staggering $159 million domestically and $385 million worldwide just weeks before COVID shut down. the world theater industry.
Mendes’ two previous films, “Skyfall” and “Spectre,” both James Bond adventures, grossed $1.1 billion in 2012 and $881 million in 2015, respectively. The awards season entry is the only wide theatrical release on December 9, opening between “Violent Night” on December 2 and “Avatar: The Way of Water” on December 16.