Finding Neverland

Plot Summary

This film tells the story of where the inspiration came from for the classic Peter Pan story, written by J. M. Barrie (Johnny Depp). Set in Edwardian London, the film starts with the disappointing opening performance of a James Barrie play. When asked, the playwright says that he can do better.

While out walking his dog in the park he meets widow Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet) and her four young boys. He finds inspiration in the imagination and games of the children and a friendship develops between himself and the family. His relationship with his wife Mary (Radha Mitchell) is cold, and to escape his functional marriage he spends more and more time with the Davies family, playing with the children and working on his next play, Peter Pan.

Review

The story of how Peter Pan came to be written is extremely well told in this bittersweet, moving drama. Fantasy, imagination and real life are intertwined in an original way to tell the story and it is interesting to see where the ideas for Peter Pan came from. When the writer spends time with the children he is inspired by imagination, make-believe and childish innocence. Picnics, kite flying, playing pirates, pretending to be Indians, all provide material for his writings.

The film isn't all about writing Peter Pan. It also takes a look at Barrie's relationship with the boys' mother Sylvia (Kate Winslet) and as he spends time with the family his relationship with his wife deteriorates. People frown upon a married man spending so much time with a widow and her children and the gossip starts. It is also quite sad and tragic and perhaps a little over sentimental at times but this is the type of film that makes you think and will stay with you for awhile.

Johnny Depp was a fantastic choice for the part of J.M. Barrie. He often plays colourful, imaginative characters in his movies and with a hint of eccentricity he doesn't put a foot wrong here. He acts like someone who is still a bit of a boy inside - a part of him that will never grow up just like Peter Pan!

Freddie Highmore who plays Peter, one of the young boys, deserves a mention as he gives a very poignant performance as a young boy who has lost his father and also his childish imagination and wonder.

The great cast also includes Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Radha Mitchell and Dustin Hoffman who all give strong performances.

Lasting Thought: He won't be able to do it if nobody believes in him.

Bottom Line: Nicely filmed, well acted, good script, great storytelling.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2004.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  MARC FORSTER:  Monster's Ball.  JOHNNY DEPP:  Blow,  Once Upon A Time In Mexico,  Secret Window,  Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.  KATE WINSLET:  Enigma,  The Life of David Gale,  Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind.  RADHA MITCHELL:  Phone Booth.  Man On Fire.  DUSTIN HOFFMAN:  Confidence.

Genre: Drama

Certificate: PG

Director: Marc Forster

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~ Main Cast ~

Johnny Depp

Kate Winslet

Radha Mitchell

Freddie Highmore

Julie Christie

Dustin Hoffman

RATING

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