The Man Behind the Ring

Tolkein and Edith

“The Man Behind the Ring”

A Review of Tolkien by Nick Olszyk

MPAA Rating, PG-13

USCCB Rating,  A-II

Reel Rating, Three Reels            

 It is well known that Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien is largely responsible for the archetypes that dominate fantasy literature today; it is also well known among Catholics that Tolkien was a faithful follower of the Church whose spirituality permeates every aspect of his work. The new film Tolkien looks at the early life of the writer in an attempt to discern what drove perhaps the greatest work of the 20^th century. It makes three distinct suggestions as to what formed his character, but, unfortunately, his faith is not one of them. It’s not a terrible film, but this oversight – or perhaps exclusion – seriously hinders its ability to understand the artist.

Tolkien’s budding romance with his future wife Edith is the primary focus of the movie. This is understandable as other influences on Tolkien’s writing are less tangible or attractive. Young J.R.R. (Nicholas Hoult) and Edith (Lily Collins) seemed destined to be together. Attractive, well read, and sometimes rebellious, they were both orphaned at a young age and grew up under the same foster mother. They understood the true value of love, which was not just sexual attraction but a desire for spiritual progression. When Tolkien offends her out of pure jealousy, she is quick to rightly point out his cruelty. She makes him a better man and no doubt played an instrumental role in the creation some of Tolkien’s great female characters such as Galadriel or Eowyn, who wonderfully demonstrate that femininity and strength are not enemies in women.

The 2^nd theme involves the friendships that Tolkien developed first at St. Edward’s school and then Oxford. In the beginning, Tolkien is isolated, a poor orphan at a wealthy school, who is often teased and prefers to be alone. His first “friendship” was the result of a punishment – after being caught fighting with another boy, they are forced to do all their schoolwork together. Gradually, the friendship becomes genuine, and together with two others, the form a secret club dedicated to drinking tea and changing the world through art – British adolescence idealism at its best. This fellowship continues into their adult lives and teaches Tolkien the value of dependable comrades.

The last and weakest element involves Tolkien’s experience as a soldier in the trenches of World War One. These scenes are confusing and poorly executed, although that may serve to underline the idea that war is chaotic and terrifying. For a man who lived in his head with Finnish grammar and Saxon poetry, it was a nightmare. Thus, Sauron – a being obsessed with war and power – became the chief antagonist of his stories, while the heroic actions of the ordinary soldier emerged as a model for his main characters.

Religion is not totally absent from Tolkien but nonetheless seems like an inconvenient fact that filmmakers knew they had to address but for which they held precious little regard. Tolkien’s mentor and legal guardian, Fr. Francis Morgan (Colm Meaney), is a stern but caring supporter of Ronald education and success – although he did not support his relationship with Edith, which was true. What is frustratingly absent is any sense of Tolkien’s personal spirituality. He never prays, never attends Mass, never discusses any aspect of Christianity. Yet, his sense of an enchanted cosmos and universal moral authority shines clearly through his writing. There’s not much in this film beyond the ordinary interpretations of human experience to inform this, and it creates a noticeable disconnect.

All of these themes and pieces come together to create a narrative that, while enjoyable, is lackluster and mediocre – like a car where everything works properly but one rarely drives because it gives no pleasure. The film lacks the magnificent soul that Tolkien had, a soul molded by suffering, loneliness, oppression, terror, but, ultimately, hope for the Resurrection. Though I liked seeing Ronald’s life on screen, the cliché is true: the books are better.