I can imagine it is hard to get into if you didn't play it when it first came out. We kinda just got along with the controls. Remember that there weren't analog sticks back then. On PC we played Tomb Raider solely with the keyboard, no mouse needed.
I grew up with the controls and I actually love them. Sure, it's clunky, but it enables a movement that is a lot more precise than in most modern games. It's kinda hard to describe. But for example the modern Tomb Raider games feel washy in comparison. I never know where Lara will stop or which ledge she will grab automatically or something. In the old titles she does exactly what I tell her. Not more and not less.
I don't know if you can get into the controls in this day and age. But once you do, the games are in my opinion some of the best ever made. Even the weaker entries like 3 and 5 are a hell lot of fun in my opinion. They simply don't make games like that anymore. It's just you and the game, no bullshit quest markers, hints all over the place or something.
So if I were you, I wouldn't try too hard. If it's not fun, that's ok and I can't promise you that you will get rewarded when you keep trying. Oh, I also wouldn't even try to play with modern controls. I imagine some of the harder jumps are kinda impossible if you can't line Lara up perfectly.
Official member of VGC's Nintendo family, approved by the one and only RolStoppable. I feel honored.