The story clarifies the basic truths that often seem lost, the fight between basic good and evil, courage, integrity, valor, patiotism, friendship...
For a short while after 9/11, we had that clarity. We were struck by something so horrible it united us in a way that I thought was not possible in such divided times... I think even petty crimes dropped. But of course it was only a matter of time until we went back to our bickering and gawking at all the Yates trials and child abductions of the world.
Alas - Tolkien's world never loses its way... It is an untouchable place uncomplicated by all of that. A refuge we can escape to at any time. One reviewer of the film put it really well. It makes you want to be worthy of Middle-Earth.