Tolkien

For the literary fans of JRR Tolkien, this film will serve as a very exciting chapter of your fandom; when you get to see a character called Sam you'll be sure to gasp with glee - and let me assure you they really emphasise his name, along with a myriad of other moments just like it. You cant miss them. They know who this movie is for, because it sure as hell won't be appealing to anyone else.

• Jess Fenton

Read Jess' full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-tolkien-lord-of-the-rings-and-hobbit-fans-this-ones-for-you

I'll admit I had some interest when I heard that a Tolkien biopic was in the works, but now that I've actually seen it, I'm very unsure about who was supposed to want this movie? It's just an unbearably clichéd biopic that makes sure it ticks all the boxes a biopic for some reason must. I don't understand how this formula gets forced in to the real-life story of every person who has ever lived a time that was put to screenplay. It's so boring, and it's so done. Who was crying out for a movie that examined famed author J. R. R. Tolkien when he... went from mildly unpopular at fancy pants school, to mildly popular at fancy pants school? Not when he was writing the most famous fantasy series of all time. Not when he was at war (or at least...

This is a well-written, gentle telling of the early life of JRR Tolkien; his relationships, studies and terrifying experiences in the First World War. Nicholas Hoult plays the role sensitively and convincingly. Colm Meaney, Sir Derek Jacobi and Lily Collins all support ably. The subtle detailing of the scenes from the war are told using light and sound rather than blood and gore - and prove surprisingly effective. Insofar as there are any attempts to draw comparisons between his life and any of the Middle Earth concepts; this doesn't really address any of that and that can leave the narrative a little lacking but it's a good looking piece of cinema.