The first trailer for Tolkien dropped today!
I can’t fully put into words why I have been very hesitant about this film ever since it was officially announced. I completely steered clear from any news about it, so much so that the only thing I really knew was that Nicholas Hoult was playing Tolkien. I had a lot of worries running through my head. “Will they make it seem over dramatic?” “Is it just going to be another sappy love story?” “Will they somehow try to make it seem like a fantasy film?” I could easily imagine the entire film focusing on Ronald and Edith’s relationship and heightening it.
Boy meets girl, they fall in love, guardian forbids the relationship, boy goes to war and returns only to discover girl is engaged to someone else, boy wins girl back…it’s definitely movie material.
(Please know I’m not trying to diminish the hardships the two had to go through. This was just what I was worried the filmmakers would turn their relationship into.)
I snuck in a watch of the trailer during my lunch break today and WOW…. I have to admit that it made a good amount of my uneasiness go away. Now I’m excited to see the film! I’m still a little hesitant but that’s just a normal reaction to have when there’s a film/book/show etc. coming out for something you care deeply about.
There were definite connections made to Tolkien’s stories throughout the trailer. The “It’s about fellowship” line definitely tugged at my LOTR-obsessed heartstrings, I couldn’t help it. They knew exactly what they were doing and I loved it. And the quick shot of Edith (played by Lily Collins) dancing in the forest? Lúthien vibes for sure! I also couldn’t ignore the obvious Balrog reference at the end of the trailer. I don’t want to call it fan service because that isn’t what I got from it. I can understand why doing things like that would be a good representation of how Tolkien was inspired to create his legendarium. (Yes, yes, we all know he wasn’t particularly fond of allegory.)
I am of course happy knowing that this film will show his life to a large audience who is not already familiar! I‘m much more optimistic now and I am ready to get emotional in the movie theater.
We’ve seen a lot of Middle-earth on screen and soon it’ll be time to see the story behind the man who started it all.
If you are interested in learning more about Tolkien before seeing the film, I highly recommend you pick up Humphrey Carpenter’s authorized biography (which was no doubt a big source of information for the director). It’s incredibly well-written and has been a favorite among fans for years.
It’s safe to say that when people think of Tolkien, most think “Ohh yeah, he’s the guy who wrote LOTR.” But he didn’t publish The Hobbit until he was in his 40s–so much happened in his life leading up to that point. His father died when he was very young. He and his brother, Hilary, and mother, Mabel, moved from South Africa to England where his love and appreciation for nature grew. The two boys were orphaned after Mabel died of diabetes and a friend of the family, Father Francis, became their legal guardian. Tolkien soon discovered his love of languages and creating stories and spent years cultivating his world. He made strong friendships and formed the T.C.B.S. (Tea Club, Barrovian Society). He fought in WWI and lost people he cared about. He was a husband, father, and Professor. There’s a lot to explore in his life and hopefully this film will do it justice.
Information:
Tolkien will be released in theaters on May 10 by Fox Searchlight Pictures and is directed by Dome Karukoski. See a full cast list here.
