Finding Neverland (2004)

Purely Joyful Movie!

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

I have problem with movies that use real life characters and make supposedly biographical movies but they alter key elements that completely change the meaning of a film. And that is the case in this movie. Basically just the names of the characters are true, most of the rest is fake or modified significantly from actual facts, including the main scenes in the movie. If they are going to take such licences, they should change the names of the characters and at most say "inspired on the life of..... " etc.). This killed the movie for me.

The magic of the "Peter Pan universe" is something that most children experience at some time in their lives. The thrill of staying young forever, flying away to distant lands, and battling pirates is one that can easily capture the imagination of the young. "Finding Neverland" is the story of how James Barrie created that magical universe that has stood the test of time.For a basic plot summary, "Finding Neverland" sees struggling playwright James Barrie (Johnny Depp) introduced to Sylvia Davies (Kate Winslet), a widow with four young children, on a chance encounter at a local park. While forming a bond with Sylvia and especially her playful children, Barrie begins to realize the power of "play" and "imagination" and begins to incorporate those elements into a new play about a boy who never grows up.This film is very successful on two different levels:1. The backstory on Barrie/Davies is very interesting. I knew nothing about it going in, so I can't speak to the accuracy of all the events depicted, but it sure seems as if Barrie was truly inspired by the Davies children.2. For fans of the Peter Pan narrative, seeing the story come together bit by bit is a visual and emotional treat. It is kind of strange to think of the Pan story as anything but pure childhood escapism fiction, but this movie shows us how it was quite real to the actors, theater-goers, and producers of the day.Only helping matters is the solid acting by Depp and Winslet, who are both so "classically trained" in acting (I believe they have both done much theater) that their casting is perfect in this period piece.Overall, then, "Finding Neverland" is a fun, informative film for fans of the Peter Pan cannon. It will bring out your emotions, humor, and sense of history while viewing.

How did this sneak under my radar?.. A wonderful film-ideally suited for a wet Sunday afternoon-warm and tender, but bitter-sweet, melancholic, and even bleak in places... A marvellous tour-de-force performance from Johnny Depp (he's never been better)-some might say he is a little young (the author/playwright was 44 years old when his play was first staged), but Barrie was an innocent, and always young-at-heart... Perhaps his trademark soup-strainer might have given Depp more gravitas... And with a wonderfully understated yet convincing Scottish accent as well (Hollywood, take note), Depp once again proves himself to be simply the best young leading man Hollywood has to offer-in fact, we're also treated to what I believe to be a prototype Jack Sparrow, as, although this was released after 'Pirates of the Caribbean', it was filmed before... He is ably supported by Kate Winslet, although I do think she could have worked harder on her diction, and a simply delicious turn from the delectable Julie Christie as the ogre-in-waiting, and the implied inspiration for the future Captain Hook.Much like when reading the book that Barrie wrote after his play's success, 'Wendy and Peter' (and even it's woeful sequel, 'Peter Pan in Scarlet'), this is a work best enjoyed by suspending one's disbelief. The film is punctuated by imaginary vignettes, which would eventually coalesce into the play 'Peter Pan, or, The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up'. It's a fascinating re-thinking of exactly how Barrie's Chef d'Oeuvre came to be, albeit with some tactical artistic interpretation of dates and facts (there were no 25 orphans attending the premiere, but it still raised a lump to my throat). The four brothers (Freddie Highmore, Joe Prospero, Nick Roud and Luke Spill) all excel-their delivery can be stilted at times, but Highmore, particularly, is a revelation. Dustin Hoffman, effectively in a cameo role as Barrie's American backer, Charles Frohman, breezes through his performance in true veteran style, never breaking sweat, but I felt the ensemble cast was rather let down by Radha Mitchell, playing Mary Ansell, Barrie's wife-no engagement there at all... The supporting cast is sprinkled with familiar faces, all clearly enjoying themselves, the set-dressing, costumes and attention to detail all superb ...So, altogether a magical film about a magical summer leading to the creation of a magical play (and book), which is still delighting audiences to this day. I was gladdened to read "with enormous gratitude to GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN" (who, of course, still own the rights), in the credits, and hope they benefited hugely from this film.Settle down with your children and grandchildren, a soothing drink, and a fire in the grate-for children from five to 95... Enjoy!..

In short, this is a smooth viewing, but it clearly falls short in what it's supposed to supply. The good points are the entertaining watch this provides, Johnny Depp, an excellent child actor's performance (Peter), the ever so beautiful Radha Mitchell (hah...), and all in all the good story being told here.The problem is the great potential such a story/casting/philosophical point holds and is absolutely necessary to be fulfilled. And this clearly, clearly falls short of it. We're given a taste of what it could've been like, we're given glimpses of what could've been achieved here; but only sketches, elusive hints...never the real thing. This could've been a magical motion picture that dives the viewer into Neverland, and all the premises full of wonderful emotion and artistic/human sensitivity that come with it. In stead, this is a fairly flat realization of its plot, with interesting potential, never reached. Clearly not greatness, but also as clear was the potential for greatness.