Mr Burton (2025)

	Directed by: Marc Evans	COUNTRY United Kingdom GENRE Drama/Biopic NORWEGIAN TITLE Mr Burton RUNNING TIME 124 minutes
	Produced by: Ed Talfan Hannah Thomas Josh Hyams Trevor Matthews
	Written by: Tom Bullough Josh Hyams

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Richard Jenkins / Richard Burton	Harry Lawtey	½
Philip Burton	Toby Jones	½
Ma Smith	Lesley Manville
Cis	Aimee-Ffion Edwards	½
Dic Jenkins	Steffan Rhodri
Elfed	Aneurin Barnard	½
Phyllis	Mali O'Donnell	-
Sir Cyril Cooke	Matthew Gravelle	-
Daphne Rye	Hannah New	-
Anthony Quayle	Daniel Evans	-

Review

The relationship between the young Welsh miner's son Richard Jenkins and his teacher and mentor, dramatist Philip Burton – the result of which became the renowned Shakespearean actor and later Hollywood star Richard Burton – is the basis for this fascinating new treatment directed by Marc Evans. In scope, Mr Burton is relatively small: We're transported back to 1940s Pontrhydyfen and Port Talbot in Wales – communities predominantly made up of heavy-drinking miners and their families. Richard Jenkins (Harry Lawtey) is the twelfth of thirteen children, brought up motherless, partly by his alcoholic father, partly by his older sister and her husband. In a poor society where mining is one of the few prospects for boys, the sensitive, academically inclined Richard is taken on by Philip Burton, who teaches him everything from manners and etiquette to diction and the craft of acting.

The story of Jenkins and Burton is a strong, personal, Pygmalion-like tale of social ascent and rags-to-riches, and Evans largely translates it satisfactorily to the screen. 1940s Wales is beautifully brought to life through useful CGI and handsome set decoration and costumes. And, more importantly, the film treats the Welsh language and identity seriously – you really get a sense of these people's national pride and peculiarities.

There are only two real drawbacks to Mr Burton, but unfortunately they are rather significant. Firstly, Harry Lawtey, who plays the young Richard, has the necessary passion and depth but overplays his transition from unsophisticated miner's son to arrogant rising star. His initial gangly, insecure demeanour – though arguably partly authentic – comes off as affected. As does the brutishness the 20-something actor assumes later on. Part of the blame lies with the director, which brings us to the film's second flaw: pacing. The patient, slow-moving build-up is brushed aside as the storytelling accelerates sharply towards the end, without convincing narrative justification. It feels as if something was left on the cutting-room floor, or that the director struggled to reconcile the intended shift in pace.

Fortunately, the film also has Toby Jones in the role of Philip Burton – and what a delicately understated, emotionally complex performance he gives. By the end, you feel that you understand the mentor's motivation and inner workings almost completely, and whatever ambiguity remaining may well have been enigmatic even to himself. There have always been insinuations about the nature of the relationship between Burton and Jenkins, and although Mr Burton allows itself some artistic licence in addressing them, it's done with relative gentility. Also with Lesley Manville in a delightful performance as Mr Burton's landlady, and Steffan Rhodri in an effective turn as Richard's drunken father.