Review of Finding Neverland (2004) by Bartek F — 14 Mar 2010

I finally saw Director Marc Forster's "Finding Neverland" on DVD. It is an absolutely wonderful movie that is so very touching. It is a great movie. It was one of the best movies of 2004-- very deserving of its Academy Award nominations. Johnny Depp as J.M. Barrie, author of "Peter Pan", is simply awesome. Depp again demonstrates that he is the most gifted and versatile actor of his generation. Depp has this mercurial air about him, and is so present in every scene-- he is just being. There is a breathtaking scene half way through "Neverland", where young George expresses concern about his Mother (Kate Winslet), and Barrie (Depp) acknowledges George (a very good Nick Rod) for becoming a young man right before his eyes, "...The boy is gone. In just the last 30 seconds..." Young Freddie Highmore as Peter Davies, the muse of Peter Pan, is amazing. Peter's on screen relationship with James Barrie is deeply compassionate and inspiring, and makes "Finding Neverland" a very special movie and experience.

Screen writer David Magee's "Finding Neverland" is based on the play by Allan Knee, "The Man Who Was Peter Pan". Magee's words are equally magical. "Neverland" tells the story of how J.M. (James) Barrie created Peter Pan in 1904. Barrie (Depp) at the time was a renowned play-write, who is in the midst of a dry spell. He along with his benefactor and producer, Charles Frohman (Dustin Hoffman, who injects a great light touch), have weathered a stage flop. Barrie must create something that audiences will embrace. Barrie develops a relationship with a widow, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet), and her four young boys, George (Nick Roud), Jack (Joe Prospero), Peter (Freddie Highmore), and Michael (Luke Spill). Barrie is married, and his wife Mary (a good Radha Mitchell) is not pleased that her husband is spending all his time with another family. Though their marriage seems to have died years ago. Also displeased is Sylvia's mother, Mrs. Emma du Maurier (Julie Christie). By Barrie spending so much time with the family, Sylvia's value is depreciated. In a more contemporary sense people start talking about Barrie, in particular his spending time with the Davies boys. There is a strange and unintentional allusion to Michael Jackson, a Peter Pan fan, but that goes no further.

Barrie notices that Peter, who is at first resistant to him, seems in a hurry to grow up, thinking that things are less painful as an adult. Peter has taken the death of his father especially hard. In a stirring scene with Barrie, Peter tells him that he will not tolerate adults "lying" to him. That had happened with his father. Kate Winslet plays the strong Sylvia who is keeping her family together, and at the same time battling her mother (Christie) for her sons' futures. Kate also guards a secret. Julie Christie is a excellent as Emma du Maurier-- she is not at all what she first appears to be. This in part illustrates what is so special about "Finding Neverland"-- it celebrates the very best in people. Freddie Highmore is the standout as Peter, though the rest of the Davies boys are amazing and such mature performers.

The last 20 minutes of "Finding Neverland" is so very touching and inspiring. I now will read Barrie's "Peter Pan". I finally got that "Peter Pan" is not just a fairy tale, rather a metaphor. We all grow old, in this we don't have a choice in the matter. However, if a part of us remains young, the part that makes the world always new and miraculous, not necessarily believing in fairies, rather remembering what that was like, then we grow old, without being truly old. Maybe that is finding Neverland. Barrie says to Peter at the end, "Just believe." That is well said. Forster and Depp have made something very special here, and have also made a bold request of the audience in "Finding Neverland". Just believe.

Three and a half stars, with a plus, out of four.