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 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.

Movie website