Review: Mr Burton – A kingdom for a stage

Directed by Marc Evans 
Starring Toby Jones, Harry Lawtey, Lesley Manville 

6.5/10

Biopics can be a tricky thing. Trying to cover the life of a famous individual in two hours can often be a fool’s errand. Instead, locking in a crucial and illuminating slice of their life can be a better approach. Here, director Marc Evans shines a spotlight on the formative early years of Richard Burton and the teacher that inspired him to learn the craft.

When English teacher Mr Burton (Toby Jones) recognises genuine talent within a student, he goes out of his way to encourage the lad. However, Richard Jenkins’ (Harry Lawtey) home life, Welsh heritage, and poverty pose a significant obstacle in a class-conscious United Kingdom. Even after years of struggle and study, the tutor finds himself needed again, as the now Richard Burton struggles with a performance of Henry V that may launch him to fame and fortune.

Mr Burton really does stick the landing, linking its first scene with the final to demonstrate its central theme perfectly. That “muse of fire” (a Shakespearean phrase from the prologue to Henry V) that is continually referred to throughout the film is the tutor lighting the pyre that the student can emerge from like a phoenix. Of course, the fact that the pyre is kindled by broken dreams and dead ambitions is also a poignant note that is touched upon. Pushed along by two extraordinary performances, Mr Burton is lifted from a standard middlebrow biopic to something slightly more compelling. It just takes its sweet time getting there.

It also takes on a number of other interesting topics along the way, such as cultural imperialism, class and homosexuality. These are less explored than the central theme and, although they do add some interest and a small amount of narrative tension, are a little underbaked.

Despite that, all are factors for the transformation of Jenkin’s character. Lawtey’s shift from shy, rough-edged youth to flawed icon of stage and screen is impressive. By the time he becomes the haughty screen legend, the audience feels privileged to understand what has driven him.

By contrast, Jones gives a much more contained performance. True, it’s of the high quality we’d expect from him, but one fueled by subtlety and nuance. It sets the stage for the mannered presentation of the narrative and the slow, deliberate pacing of the tale.

That gentle pacing, although appropriate, might be the biggest drawback of the piece. Mr Burton doesn’t really hit its stride till about a third of the way in (with Jenkins’ tutelage beginning in earnest) and only locks your attention firmly in place after the time jump (about two thirds of the way in). It demands a degree of patience, and although it is ultimately rewarding, it is far from evenly distributed.

Mr Burton is a fine piece driven by two stellar performances, but its slow burn is not for everyone.

DAVID O’CONNELL