The Electric Life of Louis Wain follows the life of the eccentric artist most famous as a cat artist, Louis Wain, played by Benedict Cumberbatch.
The film, which was written and directed by Will Sharpe, features numerous notable actors like Olivia Colman as the narrator, Claire Foy, Andrea Riseborough, Toby Jones as well as Taika Waititi.
The film will premiere in theaters on the 22nd of October and then will be released on a smaller screens Amazon Prime on Amazon Prime from November 5.
Was Louis Wain a Real Person?
Louis Wain was indeed a real person. His birth year was 181860 in London as being one of the six children, and the sole male. He was born with a cleft lip that, according to the film was a fear for him as it could cause him to be considered unattractive.
When he was 20 His father passed away and he took on the responsibility of earning enough money to provide for his mother as well as the five siblings, all who were married.
In the beginning it was his time to work as an art instructor, however, he was forced to work on freelance work to pay for the expenses. He eventually made this his primary occupation.
He would draw mainly animals since photography was not a popular medium particularly on In The Illustrated London News where his work was noticed and achieved some recognition and.
He was married in 1883. got married to the governess of his sister, Emily Richardson (played by Claire Foy). The film depicts it was deemed to be an unjust act because of their differing station, as reflected by his oldest daughter, Josephine (played by Riseborough).
The movie depicts the next couple of years as joyful and happy for Wain and his family. Wain couple, however his sisters are separated from their brother.
It was, however, this connection that led to the development of his most well-known persona: Peter.
Peter is the family’s beloved cat that they brought into their home after finding Peter during the downpour. After Emily became diagnosed with cancer of the breast, Wain would attempt to cheer her up by drawing cartoons of Peter.
After Emily died in 1887 Wain was a prolific artist of his cartoonish cats with large eyes.
The anthropomorphized cats were often searched for, and were featured on numerous the pages in The Illustrated London News, and in various other publications.
But Wain’s business acumen wasn’t his forte and, as the film highlights, he did not get patents for the majority of his work, which meant the family was struggling financially.
Wain also had mental health problems throughout his life. Eventually, when he reached the age of old and was admitted to the mental health ward of South London by his sisters when his behavior began to become more difficult to manage.
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While in the pauper’s ward was found out and the campaign began to raise funds to move him to a more comfortable place. The likes of writer H.G. Wells has lent his nom de guerre.
The hospital eventually transferred him in the direction of Napsbury Hospital, north of London in the north of London, where he passed away in 1939, aged 78.
The Electric Life of Louis Wain is out in theaters starting October 22nd and will be available it will be available on Amazon Prime on November 5.