Finding Neverland was directed by Marc Forster and released by Miramax Film Group in 2004.
The Stars
Johnny Depp plays James Barry who wrote Peter Pan.
Kate Winslet plays Sylvia Llewyn, who is a window and has 4 sons.
Sylvia?s sons George, (played by Nick Roud), Jack, (played by Joe Prospero), Michael, (played by Luke Spill), and Peter, (played by Freddie Highmore).
Kelly Macdonald plays Peter Pan.
Julie Christie plays Mrs. Du Marrier, Sylvia’s mother.
Dustin Hoffman plays Charles Frohman, James Barry’s Producer.
Rahdah Mitchell plays Mary Hoffman.
Ian Hart plays Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The Plot
This movie begins in London in 1904. It shows how James Barry wrote the book, Peter Pan.
Barry has writers block, and can’t write much. He decides he will go to the is Park and play with his dog, (Pothos). This is where he meets Sylvia and her sons.
He used them to write a story about children who don’t have a father and never ever want to grow up.
The Quotes I liked
Davies says, That golden scepter is just an old piece of wood. Barrie replies, Yes, well that’s because I’m dreaming on a budget!
Barrie says to Peter Davies, You can visit Neverland any time you want to. Peter asks him how that would be possible, and Barrie answers, Just believe, Peter.
Peter Davies points to the dog and says, This is absurd. He’s just a dog? Barry replies, Just a dog! He thinks he’s a bear. Do you want to break his heart and stop is dreams?
Sylvia says to James, You brought pretending into my house and now you have come to mean so much to us all, it doesn’t matter if it’s true. I need to go on pretending, forever, with you.
My Thoughts
Johnny Depp’s performance adequate. He doesn’t play Barrie as a child, but as a man, who is able to enjoy being on their level, and loves to joke and clown around with them. He brings magic to every scene he’s in.
Kate Wininslet is charming and is concerned with practical matters.
Her children are delightful and you will fall in love with them, especially when Barry tries to teach them to fly a kite.
Dustin Hoffman plays a decent role, but is British accent is terrible. Rahdah Mitchell, whose character feels neglected, follow Depp, and acts like a fool.
I almost felt like I was watching the Michael Jackson story, (his home is called Neverland), with out the fondling!
None of the negatives were due to the cinematographer, who took fabulous shots, or to the editor, who edited this film wonderfully.
The last half hour was the best part of the film. For the first part of the movie only the music kept me awake.
The score was written by Jan Kaczmarek. It was nominated for the Academy Awards, in the best original score category.
The score: Where Is Mr. Barrie?, The Park, Dancing With The Bear, The Kite, The Chess, Neverland, The Spoon On The Nose, The Pirates, The Marriage, The Children Arrive, Drive To The Cottage, The Peter Pan Overture, Peter, The Park On Piano, The Stairs, Impossible Opening, The Rehearsal, Neverland, The Play And The Flight, This Is Neverland, Why Does She Have To Die?, Another Bear and The Forgotten Overture.
Other Information
David Magee wrote the screen play that is based on a play, (The Man Who Was Peter Pan), that was written by Allen Knee.
Viewing time 105 mins.
Rated: PG 13
My Final Thoughts
This movie doesn’t want to grown up, and I thought it wasn’t worth the hype. I wouldn’t go to the theater to see it but it’s good enough to rent.
Thanks for reading my review.
©LL2005