Finding Neverland on DVD (2004)

A charming and moving fairytale

Philip Concannon from London , 07/11/2004

After his latest play is a flop, JM Barrie(Johnny Depp) is struggling to find inspiration for his next effort. While writing in the park one afternoon, he meets Sylvia Davies(Kate Winslet), a widow, and her three children. He starts to spend an increasing amount of time with the family, delighting them with his imaginative games and flights of fancy. But his efforts are not appreciated by everyone, especially his social-climbing wife(Radha Mitchell) and Sylvia's tyrannical mother(Julie Christie).

Marc Forster's wonderful movie doesn't pretend to be anything like a biopic of Barrie or a true telling of how 'Peter Pan' came to be. Instead Forster and screenwriter David Magee play fast and loose with the facts, creating a witty, subtle and powerful celebration of innocence and imagination. Forster cleverly drops in little moments which will later appear in Barrie's most celebrated play, and the transitions between the reality and fantasy sequences are smoothly handled.

But it's the outstanding ensemble cast which makes 'Finding Neverland' such satisfying experience. Depp is in his element as Barrie, giving possibly his finest performance yet. An actor who has made a career from playing grotesques and oddballs, he makes a fully rounded character from Barrie and never puts a foot wrong. He's matched by the ever-excellent Winslet, who plays Sylvia as a strong-willed young woman, desperately keeping a lid on her vulnerability for the sake of her family.

Radha Mitchell, Julie Christie and Dustin Hoffman are all on fine form in their supporting roles, and Forster also gets fine performances from the young actors playing Sylvia's children. Freddie Highmore gives a hugely impressive display as Peter, the stubborn boy who will become the inspiration for Barrie's main character, and Joe Prospero, as his older brother, handles a difficult role with subtlety and skill.

'Finding Neverland' isn't a perfect film, taking one or two too many trips to invented worlds, but it's a supremely rewarding one. The emotional second half will ensure there isn't a dry eye in the house as the credits roll. A gorgeous, inspiring fairytale which is guaranteed to steal your heart.

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superb

williamsgwynfa [Highly rated reviewer] , 10/05/2007

this film is superb. The film is magical, with the world of imagination and the world of reality seemlessly intertwined.

The acting is terrific, with Johnny Depp as J. M. Barrie, making a good job of a scottish accent. Kate Winslet is perfect as Sylvia, and Freddie Highmore as the little boy called Peter, who is definately a talent to be watched in the future - he also played Charlie, alongside Johnny depp, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The story itself is emotionally uplifting, tinged with some very heart - rendering moments of sadness. the music is lovely, the directing imaginative, and the scenery is stunning.

The movie tells the story of how J. M. Barrie created the magnificent play 'Peter Pan', and in this film, you get to see the events, that inspired him and allowed him to free his inner child.

The setting is London 1903, where we find J. M. Barrie presenting his last play, which is plain and unsatisfying. He is eager to do better, but does not have a muse, which in part is the result of the attitude of his wife Sarah. She is distant, formal, and is interested in posing as an upper class family and showing a proper behaviour, more than in sharing moments with her husband.

James usually goes to the park to write while allowing his dog, a beautiful Newfoundland, to wander around. This is how he meets his muses, Sylvia (Kate Winslet) and her four boys, Michael, George, Jack, and of course - Peter.

From that point forward, he starts to get involved in playing with the kids and in sharing their fantasies, without caring about what others think of this.

Sylvia is a widow, and the boys have suffered greatly by the loss of their father, especially Peter. But through perseverance and kindness, James M. Barrie, starts building a beautiful relationship with them, and having an effect on their lives.

Finding Neverland is a truly spellbinding story, and well worth watching.

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More than you would expect

mishi from Salisbury , 05/04/2005

A surprisingly good film in many ways. My expectations weren't very high, but I was rewarded with a faultlessly accented Johnny Depp in another unexpected role for someone who could easily rest on his matinee idol good looks. The child actors in this film are what makes it really special, particularly young Peter on whom Peter Pan is based. He was unnervingly adult and appropriately so. We watched it twice, the second time with our teenage daughters, who loved it. Out-takes particularly enjoyable.

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a real tear-jerker

Thomas Woods from London , 11/11/2004

Well it made me cry. Any film that can do that surely means it's stirring enough emotions for one to believe whole-heartedly in it, so for me it's a good 'un.

The bit which really did it for me was the first performace of Peter Pan in the theatre and the impromptu version in the house later on.

Great performances from Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Radha Mitchell and Dustin Hoffman and so nice to see how the story of Peter Pan came about and the magical person that James Barrie seemed to be (even though his love-life and marriage left a lot to be desired).

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Charming, lightweight, good-looking period piece.

Rory Aitken from Totnes , 23/05/2005

Depp is good, barring an execrable accent. Winslett of course remains the best British actress under 40, and Freddie Highmore (the child actor playing Peter) steals the show.

If you take with a pinch of salt the way in which JM Barrie's Peter Pan came about, the film unfolds with pleasure as the inevitable tearjerker finale builds to a crescendo. A great way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.

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As good as Peter Pan!

Nina from London , 21/04/2006

I think that Finding Neverland is an amazing film, but very sad. I watched this on my 10th birthday and I found it very enjoyable but at the end I was crying. I reccommend this to anyone who has seen Peter Pan.

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