The Laureate Review: Dreamy Robert Graves Biopic Is Far From Traditional
Though The Laureate, from first-time feature director William Nunez, is about real-life novelist and poet Robert Graves, the movie itself is far from a traditional biopic. Told through a dreamy haze as the central characters occasionally reflect on all that transpires throughout the film, The Laureate unspools its story with a haunting quality that suits its subject matter rather well. Nunez, who also wrote the screenplay, handles the balance between reality and dream (or perhaps nightmare) capably, though the film does struggle to properly service all of its characters. Ultimately, The Laureate pushes past the tone and format of a typical biopic to make something fresh, though it holds weak spots in an otherwise compelling story.
The Laureate opens with a startling image: Robert Graves (Tom Hughes) lies on the pavement beneath an open window, blood trickling from his nose. There's only a quick glimpse of a woman lying beside him before the action shifts back to 1928, when Robert is struggling to jot a single word down. Tortured by the PTSD he developed during World War I, he catches the first glimpse of inspiration after reading a piece by radical American writer Laura Riding (Dianna Agron). Robert is soon urged by his understanding and liberal wife Nancy Nicholson (Laura Haddock) to invite Laura to their home; upon her arrival, Laura charms and seduces both Robert and Nancy. However, as they become increasingly entangled with her, something more sinister emerges.
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The Laureate explores the twisting relationships between Robert, Laura, and Nancy, a trio that later grows to a quartet with the introduction of aspiring poet Geoffrey Phibbs (a sweetly earnest Fra Fee).
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