The Electrical Life of Louis Wain

Name: The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Released: October 22, 2021
Duration: 111 min
Rating: 63
Cast: Adeel Akhtar, Aimee Lou Wood, Andrea Riseborough, Benedict Cumberbatch, Claire Foy

2021

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Ratings

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The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain

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Movie Details & Credits

Amazon Prime Video | Release Date: October 22, 2021 | Not Rated

Starring: Adeel Akhtar, Aimee Lou Wood, Andrea Riseborough, Benedict Cumberbatch, Claire Foy, Jamie Demetriou, Olivia Colman, Olivier Richters, Sophia Di Martino, Stacy Martin, Taika Waititi, Toby Jones

Movie Facts:

Streams on Prime Video beginning November 5, 2021.

Summary: The extraordinary true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose playful, sometimes even psychedelic pictures helped to transform the public's perception of cats forever. Moving from the late 1800s through to the 1930s, we follow the incredible adventures of this inspiring, unsung hero, as he seeks to unlockThe extraordinary true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose playful, sometimes even psychedelic pictures helped to transform the public's perception of cats forever. Moving from the late 1800s through to the 1930s, we follow the incredible adventures of this inspiring, unsung hero, as he seeks to unlock the "electrical" mysteries of the world and, in so doing, to better understand his own life and the profound love he shared with his wife Emily Richardson (Claire Foy).… Expand

Director: Will Sharpe

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 111 min

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

100

The Independent Clarisse Loughrey

Dec 30, 2021

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is also disarmingly tender, blessed with a deep affectation for its subject that feels fuller and more romantic in its nature than straightforward respect. Read full review

Hanna Flint

Nov 29, 2021

It’s an affable biopic about a great but troubled man, with plenty of artistic spirit of its own. Read full review

Moira Macdonald

Oct 21, 2021

Ultimately, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is made enjoyable by its human and feline actors, despite the sadness of the material, and it left me wanting to know more about its subject, which I suppose is the point. Read full review

Monica Castillo

Sep 13, 2021

As tragic biopics go, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain isn’t interested in wallowing in misery. Instead, this amusing retelling of Wain’s life is a way to introduce his quirky illustrations to a new generation, putting them in a new light that’s more in line with the irreverent and animated creatures Wain once imagined years ago. Read full review

Empire Amon Warmann

Jan 3, 2022

Too often The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain favours eccentricity over actual insight. But even when the tones jar, Cumberbatch’s vulnerable, layered performance always rings true. Read full review

Leah Greenblatt

Oct 22, 2021

The film can't seem to stop piling on idiosyncrasies, a kind of willful kookery that mixes uneasily with the more serious elements of personal tragedy and mental illness that run through it. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Oct 20, 2021

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain tells its story with sympathy, but too many quirks and try-hard flourishes. In the welter and spin of tics, voice-overs, set pieces, images, flashbacks and dream states, the man himself gets as lost as a kitten in the rain. Read full review

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User Reviews

Charliegirl007

Jan 30, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie was amazing and fun although poignantly sad in some parts. Through the great acting, the vulnerability and beauty of the characters are captured perfectly. You really get pulled into the story, how one man, perceived as odd was able to change public perception of cats… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Duskybatfishgrl

Nov 26, 2021

A curious, poignant blend of auteurial whimsy & biopic. Cumberbatch in his wheelhouse but oh SO good at it, a grounded Foy (together making magic), and the great Toby Jones. Can’t wait to see where director Will Sharpe goes next. A unique visionary.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Habibiehakim

Mar 25, 2022

The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain is a beautiful looking film that amazingly written and perform, it's an amazing true story film that captured exactly the same like what Louis Wain himself do, as a painter, the movie looks gorgeously shot and sometimes the shot is really like a realThe Electrical Life Of Louis Wain is a beautiful looking film that amazingly written and perform, it's an amazing true story film that captured exactly the same like what Louis Wain himself do, as a painter, the movie looks gorgeously shot and sometimes the shot is really like a real beautiful painting, it's so gorgeous, Benedict Cumberbatch performance is simply one of his best, the score was beautiful, and despite one cons of the film that i have which there is some quite a lot of scene in the film that feels slow but not bad, the movie overall is still great.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Nov 7, 2021

This true story is about the titular British artist (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), who was eccentric, neurotic and wildly talented. He became famous with his “humanized” paintings of cats in the 1800s, but he also went thru a number of endeavors, struggling to help the 5 women in hisThis true story is about the titular British artist (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), who was eccentric, neurotic and wildly talented. He became famous with his “humanized” paintings of cats in the 1800s, but he also went thru a number of endeavors, struggling to help the 5 women in his family avoid poverty, while falling in love with their governess (Claire Foy). The first 30 minutes of this film are delightful, quirky fun, but as the story progresses it turns from sweet to rather dark. Throughout, Cumberbatch creates a wonderfully peculiar character who’s funny, sweet and ultimately charming. Visually, there are picturesque moments that sometimes reflect the artist’s work. Will Sharpe’s direction amiably captures the beauty and bleakness of the narrative, but can’t manage to keep the final third from losing some of the charm momentum. Still, there’s a unique approach to this film that make it enjoyable, esp. Cumberbatch’s performance.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

KenR

Dec 23, 2021

The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain – Challenges Us To Feel 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 psychoticThe Electrical Life Of Louis Wain – Challenges Us To Feel 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 moviemakers 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.… Expand

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r96sk

Jan 14, 2022

Flew by, did 'The Electrical Life of Louis Wain'.

It's a well paced film that holds solid emotion to it, while it's nicely acted by the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy. I dig the costumes/set designs too. It also gets bonus points for cats, because... cats. It's not a perfectFlew by, did 'The Electrical Life of Louis Wain'.

It's a well paced film that holds solid emotion to it, while it's nicely acted by the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy. I dig the costumes/set designs too. It also gets bonus points for cats, because... cats. It's not a perfect film, for example the humour is quite off, but it's definitely an interesting watch. I knew nothing about Louis Wain beforehand but that didn't hamper my enjoyment, fwiw.

Cumberbatch is very good as the main man, he brings across all the quirkiness and necessary emotion of Wain. Foy supports strongly, I loved her in 'The Crown' so I'm happy to see more of her. Speaking of that television show, her successor on it, Olivia Colman, is also involved; as narrator. Andrea Riseborough also stood out to me, while I note the appearances of Toby Jones, Adeel Akhtar (Wilson Wilson, to me!) and, unexpectedly, Taika Waititi.

I almost gave this 3½*, but I think 3* is about right. Good film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

abigailindia

Jun 20, 2022

Amazing film and amazing acting - cried throughout. Benedict plays this role incredibly.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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