Toby Jones seems to be everywhere recently and here he stars in the titular role as a teacher who sees the potential in a wild school boy Rich Jenkins (Harry Lawtey), the son of an alcoholic miner. The boy will grow up to be Wales’ most celebrated actor, Richard Burton. It might seem odd concentrating on the great actor’s childhood, apart from the final part where see him preparing for and performing Henry IV in Stratford upon Avon. But it was a good decision.
Tom Bullough and Josh Hyams’ script, as well as Marc Evans’ direction really capture Port Talbot in the war years and Lawtey is good at portraying an awkward teen grow with confidence that turns into arrogance. However, it is very much Jones’ film. He is an actor who can do so much with so little, as demonstrated by a scene in the Holy Trinity Church towards the end of the film. Lawtey delivers an emotional speech apologising for his behaviour and ingratitude, whilst Jones sits perfectly still, conveying everything with a look. Lesley Manville is predictably excellent as Burton’s landlady and Aimee-Ffion Edwards is very affecting as Richard’s sister. I found this to be a heart warming, at times emotional and eye opening.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10