Tolkien

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: May 10, 2019

5.8	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 74 Ratings

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vonkoutsoAug 15, 2019

A mediocre film at best. But that doesn't bother me. What really bothers me is that it was a film about the early years of Tolkien, the impact that the war had on his life and his writings, and yet SOMEHOW, one third of the movie wasA mediocre film at best. But that doesn't bother me. What really bothers me is that it was a film about the early years of Tolkien, the impact that the war had on his life and his writings, and yet SOMEHOW, one third of the movie was dedicated to telling the tale of a gay childhood friend of the main character. Why? Because in modern day Hollywood movies, creators sadly sacrifice the quality of their work on the altar of political correctness. Such a shame...… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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GinaKMay 13, 2019

An uninspired bio-pic about JRR Tolkein that provides all the facts in pleasant detail without shedding any light on Tolkein’s genius for creating myths that caught the popular imagination and inspired some brilliant films by director PeterAn uninspired bio-pic about JRR Tolkein that provides all the facts in pleasant detail without shedding any light on Tolkein’s genius for creating myths that caught the popular imagination and inspired some brilliant films by director Peter Jackson. So, in this sense, the movie was a total failure. On the other hand, the actors were excellent, especially Nicholas Hytner, who was very likable, if not particularly witty or charming or driven. His Tolkein spent very little time actually writing (consider the hundreds of pages JRRT supposedly generated) or thinking about his characters. He is shown in the trenches during the First World War, but he seemed to have spent almost the entire time in a quiet corner with Trench Fever. It was hard to believe he wrote anything, especially inspired novels. For me, the fault was with the script since the cinematography was beautiful, all the actors were excellent, and the direction told the story pleasantly and efficiently. This film should have been a lot more interesting than it was.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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JLuis_001May 16, 2019

A period biographical drama made under all the rules of the book which makes it pretty basic and devoid of more interesting stuff.
And in spite of having a very decent quality in its manufacture and the solid performances of the cast, there'sA period biographical drama made under all the rules of the book which makes it pretty basic and devoid of more interesting stuff.
And in spite of having a very decent quality in its manufacture and the solid performances of the cast, there's really nothing special about it.

In part, it's a problem because I personally love Tolkien's books but his personal story? Not really, therefore adding the elements this film was completely insubstantial.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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TVJerryMay 13, 2019

Does anyone really want to see a biopic about famed author J.R.R. Tolkien? From the almost empty theatre last nite, apparently not. This narrative is a relatively straightforward and decidedly unoriginal approach to the genre, starting withDoes anyone really want to see a biopic about famed author J.R.R. Tolkien? From the almost empty theatre last nite, apparently not. This narrative is a relatively straightforward and decidedly unoriginal approach to the genre, starting with his boyhood, tracking him thru WWI, including the love of his life and ending with his first words of "The Hobbit." Nicholas Hoult does fine in the title role, but the leaden direction and uninspired writing don't add much "life" to his life. His experiences weren't that extraordinary and this film offers no real reason to care.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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JoeCoolJul 19, 2020

A quite nice, though often boring, sometimes puzzling, sometimes touching biopic on the life of J.R.R. Tolkien. It's decent in both quality and acting but there's nothing really there to make it actally worth seeing.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Mauro_LanariOct 11, 2019

(Mauro Lanari)
Is it a more didascalic than didactic biopic, like reading a Wikipedia article about the author? Was it right to tell the story of the founder of modern fantasy by using and abusing his style that replaces many biographical(Mauro Lanari)
Is it a more didascalic than didactic biopic, like reading a Wikipedia article about the author? Was it right to tell the story of the founder of modern fantasy by using and abusing his style that replaces many biographical truths? Regardless, the film seems to have been shot more for Tolkien's fame than for the objective interest of the young writer's life, in fact quite conventionally Dickensian. Mistreated by critics and audiences for this shareable reason.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DawdlingPoetApr 7, 2022

This is very much an average biopic. It has the look and feel of a TV film and the visual effects were alright but nothing special. Its an interesting enough story but it felt a little bland and not entirely memorable.

I admire the creativeThis is very much an average biopic. It has the look and feel of a TV film and the visual effects were alright but nothing special. Its an interesting enough story but it felt a little bland and not entirely memorable.

I admire the creative mind that was J.R.R. Tolkien and this film does certainly give an insightful into his life and what may have inspired his writing but overall I don't feel I can entirely rate it as a film. I did think that the ending had a bit of impact and I thought Nicholas Hoult did well in his portrayal of the author but its not a film that will stay with me or that I'd want to watch again, hence my rating. I wouldn't actively recommend it, no.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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