‘Mr. Burton’ Review: Harry Lawtey Plays the Pride of Wales, and Toby Jones the Man Who Made Him, in a Gentle Showbiz Origin Story

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Richard Burton didn’t write an official autobiography before his unexpected death due to alcohol complications in 1984. However, his posthumously published diaries are considered among the best of their kind in the entertainment industry, as they were brutally honest about himself, frequently sharp-tongued towards others, and revealed a clever, mischievous mind beneath his boisterous behavior that often made headlines. Marc Evans’ biopic “Mr. Burton,” on the other hand, is a calm and sincerely sympathetic film. The lack of wit or mischief in this movie is partly intentional, as it highlights the difference between Richard Burton’s public persona and his private life.

The movie focusing on Evans’ early life highlights how he transformed from a tough, working-class teenager into the verge of stardom by his mid-twenties. This film aims to reveal the unpolished boy who bears little resemblance to the commanding, deep-voiced star of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and “Look Back in Anger.” Even his childhood name, Richie Jenkins, may be unfamiliar to many viewers.

For much of the movie’s duration, the main character, Mr. Burton, is not Richard but Philip: a gentle, modest schoolteacher in a quaint Welsh mining village, who harbors a deep love for theater. This affection for drama seeps into a young, innocent 17-year-old student in his English class, played by Toby Jones with his usual subtle and reserved style. Surprisingly, Philip becomes the primary focus of Tom Bullough and Josh Hyams’ eloquent, nostalgically vintage script. This screenplay, while slightly softening and idealizing certain aspects of a real-life Hollywood tale that was inherently dramatic due to its remarkable rags-to-riches trajectory, still maintains an engaging narrative that mirrors the extreme ups and downs of this extraordinary journey.

As a seasoned movie critic, I must say that rising star Harry Lawtey skillfully transforms a gawkish, thickly-accented teenager into a tantalizing glimpse of the great actor he’ll become someday – though he may not yet rival Richard Burton in our minds. However, it is his transformation from a disenchanted loner to an unexpectedly influential figure that captivates most deeply, even if this film, opening in the UK this week, leans more towards a niche piece rather than a traditional biopic of Burton’s life.

In this movie adaptation, Philip assumes the role of a seasoned, Mr. Chips-like character, a revered and entirely altruistic educator who has largely sacrificed his personal aspirations to foster the growth and intellect of his pupils. Apart from routine conversations with his landlady Mrs. Smith (portrayed by Lesley Manville with charm and wit), his life is rather solitary. The screenplay does not explicitly address Philip’s romantic orientation, but there is a buzz in the community about it, especially when he shows particular interest in Richie, a student who excels in poetry and literature, although academically average compared to his peers.

In this story, the boy, named Richie, could greatly benefit from a fatherly influence. However, he bears little resemblance to his widowed, dissolute coal-miner father, Steffan Rhodri. Instead, Richie has been brought up by his older sister Cecilia and her roughneck husband Elfed since infancy. While education and acting are not typically part of their family history, Philip recognizes a unique talent in the boy and decides to take him under his wing. This leads to a situation reminiscent of “Pygmalion,” with Philip teaching Richie lessons on speech and enunciation. Elfed expresses worry that Richie is abandoning his roots too quickly. The persistent classism within the British acting world is evident in this narrative, although Philip’s transformation of Richie’s voice is portrayed as the creation of a legend.

To alleviate any misgivings about their connection, Philip eventually suggests adopting a child and changing the child’s name as well: The movie glosses over certain details regarding this but emphasizes the familial aspect of the two Burton’s relationship in the end. It’s somewhat frustrating that “Mr. Burton” remains evasive about Philip’s personal life and feelings, yet Jones delivers a subtle, refined performance that speaks volumes without words.

The film “Mr. Burton” can be seen as a tribute to the reserved emotional style that was common in British cinema of the past. This style, which Burton’s generation of actors eventually challenged, is subtly reflected in this movie. In his first feature since 2011’s “Hunky Dory”, Evans’ filmmaking style aspires to a composed and classical aesthetic across all aspects, from Stuart Biddlecombe’s dim, twilight-tinged cinematography to John Hardy’s beautiful, albeit sometimes overly energetic orchestral soundtrack. There’s a touch of myth-making in the depiction of the smoky skies of a mining town, which might seem too picturesque to be real.

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2025-04-04 03:48