To Olivia | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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60%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In 1962, Roald Dahl (Hugh Bonneville) was an upcoming children's author, his wife, Patricia Neal (Keeley Hawes), was a Hollywood movie star. This unlikely pairing retreated to the English countryside to bring up their expanding young family, only for their lives to be turned upside down when their daughter Olivia contracted the measles virus and died. Her death devastated the couple, yet, their shared grief became a source of redemption and strength, Neal going on to win an Oscar and Dahl writing the book which made him a household name.

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To Olivia

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Critics Consensus

Burdened with clichés and guilty of glossing over troublesome aspects of its fact-based story, To Olivia can't quite capture the grief it seeks to dramatize.

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Critics Reviews

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

There is much skill at work here, so parts of it are lovely. It’s just the way it comes together – or doesn’t.

Rated: 3/5

May 19, 2022

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David Stratton

The Australian

One of the strengths of this modest film, which is partially based on Neal’s memoir “An Unquiet Life”, is the casting.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 13, 2022

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

A glassy reimagining of their marriage that isn't terribly accurate.

Apr 19, 2022

Full Review

Jane Freebury

The Canberra Times (Australia)

Brief moments of the world created by the celebrated children's author at cross-purposes in this dark chapter in the marriage when the celebrity couple had to deal with searing personal loss, yet were still on track to some of their best creative work

Rated: 3/5

Jun 7, 2022

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

Despite two solid performances from the reliable Bonneville and Hawes, To Olivia never really tugs at the heartstrings in quite the way on feels it should.

Rated: 3/5

May 19, 2022

Full Review

Jim Schembri

jimschembri.com

As well-intentioned and well-acted as it is, this try-hard little melodrama ultimately suggests that of all the ways to deal with the soul-shattering loss of a child, the best is undoubtedly a king-sized double dollop of professional success.

Rated: 2.5/5

May 19, 2022

Full Review

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Audience Reviews

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june h Depressing slice of history Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Overall, there's a fascinating and heavy dramatic story on display here about the famous writer Roald Dahl, and it's a story I wasn't aware of. Performances are generally great, along with the touching and powerful musical score. While the story is gripping and sad, to my surprise, the results didn't resonate or stay firmly with me (even though they really should have). There are moments that seem to overstay welcome, and some themes stay longer than preferred rather than moving forward. Moments of tension are also not as powerful as they could be due to certain actors being fitted with strange makeup and prosthetics. Based on the story alone, I wish this film stuck with me more closely than the results I experienced, which were forgettable. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/11/23 Full Review Denise w I thought that it was a good movie.Sam Heughans portrayal of Paul Newman was excellent.Just as handsome as Paul was. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/01/23 Full Review vicki c Expecting a broader plot of Dahl and Neal. Some references will be lost on younger viewers who don't know the past of either Dahl and Neal.A sad story that did bring about change. It throws a light on how devastating measles and the loss of a child can destroy a family. Especially in a time where little to no help or knowledge about it was known. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I was profoundly moved by this film. The performances from Keeley Hawes and Hugh Bonneville are brilliant and the score is superb. Bravo to Director John Hay and all involved! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member I loved this film. A great insight into the mind and workings of Roald Dahl. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

John Hay Director Hugh Bonneville Roald Dahl Keeley Hawes Patricia Neal Conleth Hill Marty Ritt Sam Heughan Paul Newman Geoffrey Palmer Geoffrey Fisher

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To Olivia

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To Olivia

To Olivia (2021)

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Synopsis In 1962, Roald Dahl (Hugh Bonneville) was an upcoming children's author, his wife, Patricia Neal (Keeley Hawes), was a Hollywood movie star. This unlikely pairing retreated to the English countryside to bring up their expanding young family, only for their lives to be turned upside down when their daughter Olivia contracted the measles virus and died. Her death devastated the couple, yet, their shared grief became a source of redemption and strength, Neal going on to win an Oscar and Dahl writing the book which made him a household name.

Director: John Hay
Producer: Donall McCusker, Nick Quested, Adrian Politowski, Martin Metz
Screenwriter: John Hay, David Logan, John Hay, David Logan, Stephen Michael Shearer
Distributor: Vertical Entertainment
Production Co: Align, Goldcrest Films International, Atticus Pictures
Genre: Drama, Biography
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 15, 2022, Limited
Runtime: 1h 39m

References

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/to_olivia