Finding Neverland (FN)

I started off on a movie blitz last weekend and was in fact so short of time, that I didn’t get time to blog them. Not that I need to, since I occasionally see movies which aren’t worth telling others about.

Anyways, Johny Depp has landed a role that goes beyond his good looks. Although there’s been a quite a controversy about the movie’s closeness to reality, it does manage a great job of conveying the message – Never let reality interfere with your perception of the universe J Pursue your dreams. Who knows, What Dreams May Come (which incidentally is another movie I have been planning to see for a long time now)? Before I write about the actual movie, here’s some more trivia – Apparently we were denied the pleasure of watching this movie in 2004, as Miramax wanted to use some scenes from the stage version of “Peter Pan,” the rights to which were owned by Columbia Pictures, which itself produced Peter Pan in the movie form. I guess it was worth it.

FN tells the story of James Barrie, who is struggling to produce a commercially successful play. Even his marriage is just short of falling apart with him and his wife, living in separate rooms. In comes the beautiful Kate Winslet who’s aglow with unusual beauty. Not to mention 4 kids of hers. The scene in which the kids run into Barrie is vintage moviemaking. And then there’s the cute, large dog of Barrie which finds its place in Peter Pan as the bear. The struggles of the actor who essays the role of the dog in the stage version go on to show the clout playwrights wielded before the days of casting directors, actors’ agents, etc.

There are three main characters other than Barrie who catch one’s eye – Kate Winslet, the young actor who plays George and finally the boy who plays Peter.

Johny Depp is no doubt fantastic as the protagonist, playing the playful Barrie with aplomb and reminding the viewer of Hugh Grant in Four Weddings and a Funeral or Rupert Everett in My Best Friend’s Wedding – you know that natural zest for life and flair for humour & good nature. Johny Depp demonstrates such an ability.

Kate Winslet who’s very believable as the ailing Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, plays her role to perfection. She lights up the screen with her presence and brings tears to one’s eyes in the closing moments of the movie. Good believable acting.


The young kid who plays George, essays the role of a boy who grows up as his mother’s life dwindles away- much to her delight, is flawless. The young kid who plays Peter is also very good as the pensive son of Kate Winslet, who’s yet to get over his father’s death, while trying to break out of his shell. Perhaps the role could have been a bit toned down as some of the script is a little incredible for a boy of that age.

The beautiful Kelly Macdonald, that stunning babe from Britain plays a brief role as Peter Pan in the actual play. This is the 3rd movie I have seen of hers, in which she’s cast well. The other two being Gosford Park and Trainspottin.

The editing is crisp and the casting is neat. The movie is eminently watchable. See it if you haven’t already.