Review of Finding Neverland (2004) by Doctor S — 11 Jul 2016

Beautifully told ode to innocence and childlike imagination, and how Scottish playwright James Barrie was inspired by a widow's family of four sons into creating the enduring classic 'Peter Pan'.

Chameleon Johnny Depp gives one of his finest performances and achieves what all too few biopics manage, to provide insight into the subject's viewpoint. He believed the theater was meant as a joyful escape, but the rise of the importance of the theater critic in the London press stifled that avenue of creativity.

Fun to see him play an alternate pirate version to Jack Sparrow during an afternoon of make-believe with the sons, and seeing Dustin Hoffman, who played Captain Hook in Spielberg's production, as Barrie's financier.

Reassuring to see someone still makes this kind of movie with warmth and affection for its characters, at least they did 10 years ago.