Tolkien is a three-parts drama to one-part fantasy film about the life of John Tolkein, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
It’s not unpleasant but a bit ho-hum. Nicholas Hoult (*feathers up*) plays John very well indeed but even his talent and handsome face can’t lift this to soaring heights.
Tolkien’s life is interesting and I can see how someone thought it worthy of a film (from orphan to Oxford scholar to best-selling author - though the film doesn’t even cover that last bit) but sadly things move slowly in the film and I was never really invested in what happened to John. There was a moment or two towards the end that ought to have induced tears from an old wimp like me but they didn’t. And I cry at bank ads with Eva Cassidy soundtracks guys, it really doesn’t take much.
I reckon I’d give this 2.5 stars out of 5. Not terrible, not fabulous, just in middle ground that probably warrants a TV watch but not an at-the-movies watch. And at 112 minutes long, it could do with a shaving of 20 minutes, I reckon.
The reviews aren’t glowing. Here’s a pretty brutal two star review from Rolling Stone magazine and a three star review in The Guardian if you want to read more.
Tolkien opens on 13 June and is rated M. Trailer here.