What is it about The Cinematic Life of Benedict Cumberbatch? Why must he always play lovable eccentric inventor/artists? His signature role for the masses may now be the sorcerer Dr Strange in Marvel movies, but previously he was a typically eccentric Sherlock Holmes. From Alan Turing, to Julian Assange to Thomas Edison, if there’s a role that calls for an offbeat, gangly actor, there’s no need for auditions; just send for Cumberbatch. Yet Cumberbatch is an accomplished stage actor, and I‘ve admired his Hamlet and Frankenstein, and he was even better in the BBC’s Ford Madox Ford drama Parade’s End, but his screen persona is coming up the same flavour every time and it’s beginning to grate
In Will Sharpe’s tragi-comedy, Cumberbatch plays Louis Wain, a lovable 19th century eccentric who can’t decide if he wants to write plays or operas; he’s well-to-do enough to get advice from Sir Henry Wood (Richard Ayoade). With a large household to manage, Wain takes on some help in the form of Emily Richardson (Claire Foy) who he immediately falls for. Richardson feels the same, and his passion for her leads to the couple adopting a cat as a pet, launching Wain into a career of drawing cute cats, for that is indeed what this biography is about.
Yet Louis Wain’s life isn’t cute, so vague spoilers apply; poor Emily dies at the 50 minute mark, leaving him distraught. Wain makes no money due to his ignorance of copyright law, his sister is sectioned for mental health issues, then Wain hits his head getting off a bus and falls into a coma. It might be comical in the right hands, but tragic-comedy is hard and Sharpe doesn’t seem to know what he wants us to feel about Wain’s story. Cumberbatch is personable, as always, and the aging make-up is good for once, but it’s hard to discern what the point of this oddball drama is; novelty seems to be the driving force.
To this end there are cameos to pass the time; Nick Cave as HG Wells, Taika Waititi as a newspaper editor, Julian Barratt as a doctor, but the average length of their appearances must be 30 seconds each. There’s also trippy cat visuals, and a nice running gag in which every cat in the film gets subtitles to explain what they’re saying, which isn’t much. Such quirky touches suggest a more creative biopic might have made something interesting of Wain’s life, but for now, this version of Louis Wain’s story should be an urgent matter for consideration at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Benedict Cumberbatch Endlessly playing Eccentric Inventors.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain is in UK cinemas now (Jan 2022)
Agree that the director doesn’t know what he’s trying to do or if he does he has failed to get that across. Very possible that the feyness and the madness are connected although the director does not appear to see any similarity between the two dimensions of the character. Did madness run in the family, Louis plus sister and bossy older sister surely a bit of a neurotic. Not sure about gangly being something a casting director has to consider. If a shorter person played this role would Wain fans be up in arms? Would the producers be entering a Paddington minefield?
I enter a Paddington minefield every day and try not to make a big deal about it. The film does make a big deal of his pictures getting weirder when he’s in mourning, so there’s some sense of a connection, but it’s not exactly a coherent thesis…
Incoherent is certainly apt.
He does seem to be in a lot of movies all at once. Am looking forward to Power of The Dog as I’ve read the book and it’s a good one.
Cats don’t need subtitles.
The cats in this film just say things like ‘I like jumping’ : it’s a bit of an insult to be honest.
Will be looking at Power of the Dog, it’s on Netflix, so there’s no rush. I’ve got 223 films to watch first…
Best get cracking then!
I wasn’t sure about this one so good to read your review. Have you not seen The Power of the Dog? Cumberbatch is really mixing it up in that as though he himself is fighting the endless eccentric inventors.
Power of the Dog is on my list, here’s hoping there’s a break from the norm. This isn’t a bad film, just a bit twee….
The Power of the Dog is good, a little slow at first perhaps but stick with it. Interestingly my review for that started similarly to your review for this: https://notlefthandedfilmguide.co.uk/2021/12/03/the-power-of-the-dog/
Pigeon-holed is a good way to describe it. I just can’t see a casting director thinking ‘A gangly unconventional artist? It’s a long shot, but who would be interested in seeing what Cumberbatch would do with the role?’ Or rather, I feel I can see it all too easily…
David Tennant must be cursing Benedict Cumberbatch because he keeps getting all of his roles and he is left to get the scraps (I mean Doctor Who notwithstanding of course).
Oh, meow! But I think you’re right. Yet some roles really work better with a fresh presence, someone we haven’t seen that kind of role before…
Can’t see comment section for this film on your blog.
Mine or film authority’s? You should be able to comment on either.
Lefthand man. Went to blog but no space for comments.
Strange, it is there on all of my posts when I open it up, this one included. You should be able to leave a reply or comment via WordPress.
Comments box was hidden beneath the “I Agree” section.
Cat subtitles? Feeling like a pass. Sounds silly.
Would you be cool with dog subtitles?
I don’t need subtitles for canines. I speak dog.
Can you give us a smattering of your insights?
Not using a keyboard. Dogs don’t type. They only have paws.
Cats have paws. Fact!
Which is why your cats aren’t currently commenting on the subtitles in this movie.
How would you know that? What do you know about what my cats think?
The point is that there are no cats or dogs commenting on this thread because they have paws and can’t use keyboards. If you want to tell us what your cats thought of the use of cat subtitles in this movie, and if that’s OK with them, then go ahead.
I’ll let them speak for themselves.
Hello, I am Joe the Cat. I found the use of cat subtitles in this film a little obvious; look what Chris Marker was able to do creatively with the same idea in his work. In Louis Wain, it’s suggested that cats are simple souls, but I disagree; they are complex, thoughtful creatures, as I am. Fact!
I can understand being upset at a condescending portrayal. Don’t suppose Joe thought much of Cats, Garfield 2 or Top Cat either.
Joe is my full-time consultant for tackling such important films in terms of cat representation.