Mr. Burton

The incredible story of how Rich Jenkins, a young man from a poor family in Port Talbot became a multi award winning Hollywood star.

It's fair to say this is my kind of film, but knowing Burton's story pretty well, it was interesting to see how they decided to translate it onto the big screen.

Without sounding sentimental, it's a lovely, heartwarming movie, it's uplifting and emotional, a young Burton seemed to have everything against him, his troubled father, poverty, even the country itself, but somehow he overcome the odds.

It is beautifully made, it looks terrific, the sets and clothes look terrific, they did their best with the CGI.

Toby Jones and Lesley Manville do what they do best, they deliver, I know Harry Lawtey well from the wonderful BBC series Industry, I thought he did a very fine job.

The first cinema film I've seen for some time that's made me want to order the blu ray.

8/10.

Very slow but also very much a typical British period biopic.

You hear the voice of Richard Burton, the one we're all familiar with, in the last half hour, when he is shown to have become a promising, albeit very self-destructive actor.

There is also something about the cheeks, if you squint hard enough. But I doubt Richard Burton was ever that skinny. But anyway the voice work of the actors is incredible.

Interesting story, I had no idea about this aspect of his life, I first found out about it when Toby Jones was invited on Graham Norton Show.

Poor Richie had a huge chip on his shoulder as a result of his family situation. I was not expecting him to reject and abuse Mr. Burton so violently and for the reason he did. I also would not have forgiven him. Richard Burton was impossible to live with for most of his life. His delivery was memorable, but I must say I was not particularly impressed by what he showed here as Henry V. Sure, it's different, but I don't know, maybe I was put off by his impressive a-holery here. I have little patience for a-holes, even those with generational trauma.

I guess Richard Burton is another one of those artists where you need to separate the person from the art. And then you can enjoy the art.

If for no other reason this film is worth watching for the performance of Toby Jones as Philip Burton. The teacher who started Richard Burton on his way to super stardom.

It is touching and moving to see the faith that the teacher had in Richard Burton that he would make good as an actor.

The whole cast is excellent particularly the two actors playing Burton as a schoolboy and then as an actor in his twenties at the beginning of his metioric rise to startdom. Burtins overindulgence in alcohol, probably inherited from his father hinting at the problems that would confront him in later life and lead to his early death.

This deserves to be seen by more than the small cinema attendance.

We did not know what to expect with this film. We watched it in a little cinema in South Wales to set the scene.

The casting was spot on. Lesley Toby and Harry are superb, there is no over acting, everyone's accents are just right.

The directing and atmosphere is all you ever want. Such a lovely experience. Would honestly have been a score of 10/10 if the distant scenery and Port Talbot cgi was of a much higher standard. But all in all a very big Thank You.

Did I say Lesley Toby and Harry are superb, no over acting, accents are just right. The directing and atmosphere is all you ever want. Such a lovely experience. Would have been 10/10 if scenery and Port Talbot cgi was a higher standard. But Thank You.

Mr. Burton offers a glimpse into the pivotal early life of Richard Burton (Rich Jenkins), guided by his influential teacher, Philip Burton.

While Toby Jones delivers a predictably strong performance as Philip Burton, anchoring the film with his understated gravitas, the movie itself presents a mixed bag, showcasing both its heartfelt intentions and some narrative stumbles.

The film's core strength lies in its portrayal of the mentorship between Philip Burton and young Richard Jenkins (a commendable Harry Lawtey). Their evolving dynamic is compelling, painting a vivid picture of how a working-class boy from Port Talbot was shaped into a theatrical force. Jones and Lawtey share a believable chemistry that drives the narrative forward, highlighting the profound impact one individual can have on another's destiny.

However, "Mr. Burton" isn't without its drawbacks. The pacing, while allowing for character development, can feel overly deliberate, occasionally bordering on slow. Some narrative beats follow a familiar biopic trajectory, which, while comforting, can also limit the film's sense of fresh discovery. Furthermore, while the film touches upon the complexities and whispers surrounding their close relationship, it tends to shy away from deeper exploration, leaving certain intriguing facets underexamined. In a certain way, that might have been for the better!

Ultimately, it's a sincere and well-acted tribute, but one that occasionally plays it safe, preventing it from truly soaring.