Finding Neverland

Star Review

The surprise nomination on this year's Best Picture Oscar list is a hard film to dislike - a sentimental, feelgood weepie about JM Barrie's relationship with a widow (Kate Winslet on winsome form) and her children, who act as muses for his greatest triumph, the stage play of Peter Pan. The impressive recreation of contemporary interiors and costumes immediately suggests a purer, more innocent age; it is refreshing to see a film depicting a middle-aged man befriending a group of children without it being regarded as an expression of latent paedophiliac desire. Johnny Depp receives his second Oscar nod for his portrayal of Barrie, a man bored by the adult world, preferring the exuberance and abandon of childhood.The film is at its very best when focusing on the play itself - the moment when one of the film's sterner characters is softened into clapping during the “I do believe in fairies” sequence is especially poignant, and the gorgeous sequence where the family literally enter the world of Neverland towards the film's close is Hollywood cinema at its most beautiful.

Alex Davidson on 10th February 2005

View all 156 of Alex Davidson’s reviews

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Film Description

Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet give extraordinary performances in this critically acclaimed adaptation of JM Barries life and the genesis of his timeless classic Peter Pan. Funny, tragic and touching.

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The surprise nomination on this year's Best Picture Oscar list is a hard film to dislike - a sentimental, feelgood weepie about JM Barrie's relationship with a widow (... more >

The surprise nomination on this year's Best Picture Oscar list is a hard film to dislike - a sentimental, feelgood weepie about JM Barrie's relationship with a widow (Kate Winslet on winsome form) and her children, who act as muses for his greatest triumph, the stage play of Peter Pan. The impressive recreation of contemporary interiors and costumes immediately suggests a purer, more innocent age; it is refreshing to see a film depicting a middle-aged man befriending a group of children without it being regarded as an expression of latent paedophiliac desire. Johnny Depp receives his second Oscar nod for his portrayal of Barrie, a man bored by the adult world, preferring the exuberance and abandon of childhood.The film is at its very best when focusing on the play itself - the moment when one of the film's sterner characters is softened into clapping during the “I do believe in fairies” sequence is especially poignant, and the gorgeous sequence where the family literally enter the world of Neverland towards the film's close is Hollywood cinema at its most beautiful. < less

View all 2 of Demetrios Matheo’s reviews

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Film Details

Cast

Kate Winslet, Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore

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