Wendy Ide 

The Laureate review – prosaic Robert Graves biopic

There’s plenty of romantic intrigue, but this glossy period drama about the British war poet is singularly lacking in erotic tension
  
  

Tom Hughes as Robert Graves in The Laureate. Metro International
Goodbye to all that? Tom Hughes as Robert Graves in The Laureate. Metro International Photograph: Metro International undefined

Two characters hurl themselves out of windows in the throes of despairing passion; a love triangle takes on an additional angle when an extra member is added to an already crowded polyamorous household. But despite all the romantic intrigue, this glossy, soulless period drama detailing the 1920s exploits of the war poet Robert Graves (Tom Hughes), his artist wife Nancy (Laura Haddock) and the American poet Laura Riding (Dianna Agron) is singularly lacking in erotic tension. Agron’s costumes are undeniably handsome, and the backdrop – Robert and Nancy’s chintzy rural cottage – is charming. But I have seen wallpaper samples that contain more inherent excitement than this spiritless picture.

Watch a trailer for The Laureate.
 

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