#TIFF21: “THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN” REVIEW

By George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

As much as I am a cat person, I am a greater fan of Benedict Cumberbatch and THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN had me in a cinematic nirvana state. Set in London in the late 1800s, this is real life story of an ambidextrous Artist who we first meet selling his drawings of animals at country fairs while studying the skills of boxing and dealing with an overly excitable and exuberant family at home. Louis Wain may lack social graces and friendships due to his extreme views on a number of topics, he endeavours to live in a less chaotic household and hires Emily Richardson (Claire Foy) as a governess to tutor and care for his younger sisters. Louis and Emily fall in love, marry, and move out to a country estate where they find a stray kitten. Inspired by this furry intruder, Louis Wain ultimately becomes the toast of Victorian London for his many published drawings of humanized and animated cats.

This is Cumberbatch’s most eccentric, irresistible and accomplished performance to date. Everything: from the timbre of his voice to how his body language differs to whoever he is with; even his rapid-paced, hip hoppity gait is a marvel to watch. Emmy and Golden Globe winner Claire Foy is equally magnetic to watch, even if her role is less showy. With outstanding performances from Andrea Riseborough and Toby Jones in supporting roles and a most sensual vocal narration from Academy Award winner Olivia Colman, THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN is a must-see.

It screens:

Sat, Sep 11 IN-PERSON Visa Skyline Drive-In at Ontario Place 8:30 PM

Sat, Sep 11 IN-PERSON Roy Thomson Hall 9:30 PM

Sun, Sep 12 digital TIFF Bell Lightbox

Mon, Sep 13 CANADIAN SATELLITE SCREENING Cineplex Cinemas Summerside 6:00 PM

Fri, Sep 17 digital TIFF Bell Lightbox

#TIFF21: “THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN”

Premiering at TIFF ’21, here is a new clip from THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN starring Benedict Cumberbatch!

Synopsis:

Academy Award® Nominee and BAFTA- winning Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange, Patrick Melrose, The Imitation Game) stars as forgotten British artist Louis Wain in the extraordinary true story of a brilliant but troubled soul, whose fascination with the mysteries of the world is both complicated and deepened when he meets the love of his life Emily, played by Emmy® Winner and BAFTA Nominee Claire Foy (The Crown, First Man).

The film boasts an impressive ensemble supporting cast including Andrea Riseborough (Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), The Death of Stalin), Toby Jones (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Hunger Games), Sharon Rooney (My Mad Fat Diary, Dumbo), Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education), Hayley Squires (I, Daniel Blake, Southcliffe), Stacy Martin (Nymphomaniac, Vox Lux), Phoebe Nicholls (The Elephant Man), Adeel Akhtar (The Big Sick, Pan, Four Lions, Utopia), Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch), Richard Ayoade (Soul, The Souvenir) and Julian Barratt (Mindhorn, Flowers, The Mighty Boosh) and Sophia di Martino (Loki, Flowers). It was recently announced that Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Free Guy), Nick Cave (20,000 Days on Earth) and Olivia Colman (The Crown, The Favourite) appear in the film, with Colman narrating.

MK2 | MILE END will release THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN in theatres October 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Obscured Pictures)