The scenes between Crowe and Giamatti come to form the emotional centre of the film, an honest and touching portrayal of friendship which is almost enough to convince you that the movie has a heart. (philonfilm.net)
Rachel Weisz is the surprising centre of the film, which was initially called Penelope. (fourthreefilm.com)
At the centre of the film, and sensitively handled by Jackson, are the relationships between Bilbo, his gruff mentor Gandalf and his antagonist Thorin, and it's something children will respond to. (theguardian.com)