I saw Finding Neverland, what seems like ages ago, as there was an early screening here in Seattle since director Marc Forster was going to be in town for interviews. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make the interview, yet I was lucky enough to make the screening.
Finding Neverland is a magical and emotional story with a wonderful cast to bring it to life. Telling the story of “Peter Pan” author J.M. Barrie (Depp), Finding Neverland delves into the life of the famed author in the most unconventional way.
There may still be a bad aftertaste in many moviegoer’s mouths after last year’s uninspired rendition of Peter Pan, yet Finding Neverland is not the journey into the magical land we have come to expect as we are now welcomed to the process Barrie took to create the story of a boy who never wanted to grow up.
The film begins as Barrie sourly takes in his latest flop of a play, not well received by audiences he sets out to pen his next story. While writing in the park he happens upon a chance encounter with Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Winslet) and her four young sons, most notably young Peter.
Barrie’s own fascination with the idea of staying young finds him spending more and more time with the young boys, and each time he does a piece of his story seems to come together, and not only are we party to the creation we get to watch the actors live out the fantasy.
Finding Neverland has just the right mix of fantasy and reality to keep audiences entertained by the wonder of imagination and the sorrow of human emotion. While Barrie’s relationship with Davies and her sons grows his home life dwindles. His own marriage is jeopardized along with his social standing due to rumors surrounding his interaction with the young boys.
On top of that he has Davies live-in mother (Christie) to contend with who also condemns his relationship with her grandchildren and is not interested in a married man finding interest in her daughter, who is growing increasingly ill throughout the picture.
In the part of Mr. Barrie, Johnny Depp delivers yet another stellar performance. Depp may be one of the only A-List actors who is actually able to step out of his own persona and take on that of the character he is portraying. In capturing subtle mannerisms and being able to carry himself in such a way that you are able to completely separate him from his past roles, even ones as memorable as Captain Jack Sparrow.
Along with Depp, Kate Winslet turns in an excellent performance as Ms. Davies, keeping Barrie at a close distance throughout the film, but letting him into her family’s life just enough to inspire great things.
Last, but not least, I have to mention the performance turned in by young Freddie Highmore as Peter. Highmore will also be scene with Depp next year as he will take on the role of Charlie, in the Tim Burton remake Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, in which Depp also stars as Willy Wonka.
Highmore’s performance in Finding Neverland is sure to spark immediate credibility in Chocolate Factory as he not only provides the youthful exuberance demanded by his role, but he also the heart of the film that ultimately captures the heart’s of the audience.
Finding Neverland is certain to be a contender come this year’s award season, and will most likely find Depp another Best Actor nom. This is a movie that can be enjoyed by all ages and is certain to put a smile on people’s faces just as quickly as it will bring a tear to many moviegoers’ eyes.
