To Olivia: Melodramatic biopic is unworthy of Roald Dahl | show

ReviewOur film editors will guide you through the current range. What must you see and why? From now on in Dutch cinemas: To Olivia about the life of writer Roald Dahl.

To Olivia

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    Drama

The legendary writer Roald Dahl must have been an eccentric. It can hardly be otherwise, witness often sinister novels and stories. Even his children’s books (including Matilda and The Witches) contain a touch of sadism. That trademark plays in To Oliviaof Downton Abbeyactor Hugh Bonneville hiding behind prosthetics like Dahl, no role of any significance. He can be a bit erratic here at times.

And that is not surprising given the sudden death of his then 7-year-old daughter. How that jeopardized his relationship with Oscar-winning actress Patricia Neal is at the heart of this disturbingly sweet violins and soapy dialogue that never gives us a captivating glimpse into Dahl’s wondrous brain. He would undoubtedly have found this film to be a silly idea himself.

Directed by: John Hay. Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Keeley Hawes and Sam Heughan

To Olivia with Hugh Bonneville and Keeley Hawes. © Paradiso Films

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