"Sometimes people need stories more than food to stay alive." - Barry Lopez
The vintage Empire cinema is one of those rare places where people experience something magical to light up their lives in the cynical, broken world. Hilary, who opens the theater doors in the morning, does not care for such nonsense. To her, with a troubled past and anger issues, it is just a job and routine. Hilary goes about her business, does sexual favors for the boss in his office, and eats dinner alone at home. Things change when a young black man, Stephen, is hired at the Empire. Hilary takes Stephen under her wing and shows him interesting things about the theater and its employees. When they encounter a hurt bird, Stephen impresses Hillary with his kindness in helping the bird to fly again. Hilary and Stephen open their hearts to each other. However, it isn't long before Hilary's darker issues surface once more.
No one is going to give you the life you want, you must go out and get it.
This tender, inspiring, and compassionate film takes us to Britain in the 1980s. Star actors include Olivia Colman, Michael Ward, and Colin Firth, and the cinematographer Roger Deakins. Director Sam Mendes, Colman, and Deakins were present at this Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was a personal film for Mendes whose mother had "mental trouble." Deakins added that one of the good qualities of Mendes is that he likes to make films about real people. One of the main themes of the film is that each person has pain that they deal with. Ask about people, check on them, and don't turn your back on anyone.
The vintage Empire cinema is one of those rare places where people experience something magical to light up their lives in the cynical, broken world. Hilary, who opens the theater doors in the morning, does not care for such nonsense. To her, with a troubled past and anger issues, it is just a job and routine. Hilary goes about her business, does sexual favors for the boss in his office, and eats dinner alone at home. Things change when a young black man, Stephen, is hired at the Empire. Hilary takes Stephen under her wing and shows him interesting things about the theater and its employees. When they encounter a hurt bird, Stephen impresses Hillary with his kindness in helping the bird to fly again. Hilary and Stephen open their hearts to each other. However, it isn't long before Hilary's darker issues surface once more.
No one is going to give you the life you want, you must go out and get it.
This tender, inspiring, and compassionate film takes us to Britain in the 1980s. Star actors include Olivia Colman, Michael Ward, and Colin Firth, and the cinematographer Roger Deakins. Director Sam Mendes, Colman, and Deakins were present at this Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was a personal film for Mendes whose mother had "mental trouble." Deakins added that one of the good qualities of Mendes is that he likes to make films about real people. One of the main themes of the film is that each person has pain that they deal with. Ask about people, check on them, and don't turn your back on anyone.