Il visionario mondo di Louis Wain

*Seen at The Toronto International Film Festival on September 12th, 2021.

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021) is an amazing film that's based on a true story. The film really reminded me of The Imitation Game (2014) and that's perhaps because of Benedict Cumberbatch's performance that really reminded me of his character Alan Turing (from The Imitation Game) and also perhaps because both Alan Turing's life and Louis Wain's life were full of obstacles. But, in my opinion, Benedict Cumberbatch's performance in this film is way better than his performance in The Imitation Game (2014). His acting was so genuine, especially that there are so many scenes in the film (emotional/dramatic scenes) where the camera was mainly focusing on his face. There's a specific scene in the 2nd half of the film where the camera was mainly focused on Benedict's and Claire Foy's faces for maybe 3 whole minutes and the camera didn't cut so it was a long take scene and they both presented the best performance that I have ever seen for both of them.

The cinematography was so beautiful and the film is visually stunning especially that the film had so many shots that look like an actual painting. Sometimes I felt like in a few scenes the film had that "Wes Andersen style" with the camera movements, the set design, and the cinematography. I also really really loved that the film was shot in the 4:3 aspect ratio.

Loved the editing and the transitions in the film especially in these moments where the Director wanted you to feel how/what Louis Wain is feeling.

One little small detail that I enjoyed as well is Olivia Colman narrating the film as if it is a fairy tale. I felt like using this method/way of telling this story made the film less heavy or less boring, especially that Louis' story could seem dull/sad/depressing sometimes.

But my only problem with the film is that I felt like the film focused too much on the "romance" especially in the first half. Also, there's a specific event that occurs that changes the direction of the film and shifts it. The movie jumps all of a sudden and immediately after that event to a whole new event which confused me because I wanted to see what happened and how Louis dealt with that. After that event, the film went down a bit and started to be boring and it lost the taste that it had since the beginning.

Also, I got to point out that the custom design, set design, and hair & makeup were very well made especially the hair & makeup which really surprised me, especially at the end when all the characters became "old".

My rating is 7.5/10 Watched: at home.

Some films can firmly claim to be one-of-a-kind, such as; 'The Life of Pi', then there's this one, about a painter I had not heard of from the late eighteen hundreds. Louis was a tortured fellow bordering on several psychotic spectrums while being extremely gifted in the arts, etc - leaving behind his remarkable (and much copied) Cat paintings that took the era by storm. Its style is dazzling all the way, and impresses on many levels - it starts off with a rather convoluted opening, that may not suit viewers with a short attention span or an impatience for understanding what drives a character's actions.

This is a fact-based story running the gamut of human emotions - seeking to open doorways into the lives of troubled souls who existed during unsympathetic, and rather medically ignorant times (think also of Van Gogh). Production design, performances, cinematography and, music are exemplary, leaving patient audiences with a unique and precious gift.

Director, co-writer, Japanese/English Will Sharp is no stranger to Bipolar disorders being type 11, and injects powerful understandings into Louis's character. Will's brother, Arthur Sharp, imparts wonderful emotional support supplying a stand-out Theremin based music score. Story writer Simon Stephenson has created a rich human experience giving us much to feel and think about (perhaps there's also a nod to Australian pop artist Martin Sharp here).

One aspect that created a little disappointment was the decision to photograph in a variation of the old 4 x 3 frame. It added nothing to the story, in fact gave the film a cramped, claustrophobic feel, that can be better achieved in production design. Modern movie makers sometimes, mistakenly, think they need to go backward - away from the vast improvements in aspect ratios, this can sacrifice vital elements within their work. The end credits were neat but why so small? Otherwise, it's quite a special experience from Studio Canal and Amazon Studios.

The man who catapulted cats into the mainstream, cataloguing his cataclysmic catastrophes while categorically catering as a catnip for cat lovers, the cateracting from the cateractors will make you caterwaul and purr - that is unless you're a dog or a bird or hypoallergenic to fur.

Louis (loo-eee) Wain was a British artist who lived 1860 to 1939, dying a month before he would have turned 79. He also fashioned himself as a composer and an inventor although those never came to fruition. He had theories about electricity but nothing practical like Tesla.

However he made his reputation with cats, especially drawing cats in all kinds of real and fantasy situations. That is his lasting legacy. Within his family, himself and his five female siblings, were some types of mental illness. All this is prominent in this movie.

Before watching it I knew nothing of Louis Wain and now find him to be a fascinating person. I already knew Benedict Cumberbatch to be one of the better working actors currently and he certainly hits a home run as the colorful and eccentric Wain.

My wife and I watched it at home on Amazon streaming.

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is an incredible drama that's funny, extremely emotional and eccentric almost to a fault. A film that's closer to a true heartbreaking tragedy, despite all it's stylish quirks.

Benedict Cumberbatch adds another terrific lead performance to his already impressive career with a tragic yet loveable character. He also has superb chemistry with Claire Foy, who is great and essential to the emotional core of the film.

Will Sharpe's direction is fantastic, consistently beautiful in its imagery and effortlessly stylish. The music by Arthur Sharpe is amazing, matching the films tone perfectly by being both painful and inspirational.