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Finding Neverland

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Finding Neverland (2004)

November. 11,2004
|
7.7
|
PG
| Fantasy Drama
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During a writing slump, playwright J.M. Barrie meets a widow and her four children, all young boys—who soon become an important part of Barrie’s life and the inspiration that lead him to create his masterpiece. Peter Pan.

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Reviews

ShangLuda
2004/11/11

Admirable film.

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Fleur
2004/11/12

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

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Isbel
2004/11/13

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

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Cheryl
2004/11/14

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

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Smoreni Zmaj
2004/11/15

Story about Sir J.M. Barry and creation of Peter Pan. Although Depp was nominated for Academy Award, in my opinion this is one of his weakest performances. In female leading role is Kate Winslet whom I can not stand. But in spite of that, this is one of the most beautiful and emotional stories I ever saw and it blows me away every time.8,5/10"I suppose it's all the work of the ticking crocodile, isn't it ?! Time is chasing after all of us..."

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zkonedog
2004/11/16

The magic of the "Peter Pan universe" is something that most children experience at some time in their lives. The thrill of staying young forever, flying away to distant lands, and battling pirates is one that can easily capture the imagination of the young. "Finding Neverland" is the story of how James Barrie created that magical universe that has stood the test of time.For a basic plot summary, "Finding Neverland" sees struggling playwright James Barrie (Johnny Depp) introduced to Sylvia Davies (Kate Winslet), a widow with four young children, on a chance encounter at a local park. While forming a bond with Sylvia and especially her playful children, Barrie begins to realize the power of "play" and "imagination" and begins to incorporate those elements into a new play about a boy who never grows up.This film is very successful on two different levels:1. The backstory on Barrie/Davies is very interesting. I knew nothing about it going in, so I can't speak to the accuracy of all the events depicted, but it sure seems as if Barrie was truly inspired by the Davies children.2. For fans of the Peter Pan narrative, seeing the story come together bit by bit is a visual and emotional treat. It is kind of strange to think of the Pan story as anything but pure childhood escapism fiction, but this movie shows us how it was quite real to the actors, theater-goers, and producers of the day.Only helping matters is the solid acting by Depp and Winslet, who are both so "classically trained" in acting (I believe they have both done much theater) that their casting is perfect in this period piece.Overall, then, "Finding Neverland" is a fun, informative film for fans of the Peter Pan cannon. It will bring out your emotions, humor, and sense of history while viewing.

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Prismark10
2004/11/17

Finding Neverland is a slight but charming film about the wonders of imagination in the stuffy Edwardian era England.Johnny Depp plays the softly spoken in a Scots accent, J M Barrie who has just come off a failed play.Barrie has a strained marriage but a chance meeting with a recent widow (Kate Winslet) and her four young boys inspires his imaginations and whimsy as he becomes involved in their lives causing further stress in his own marriage.The children inspires the story of Peter Pan as we go to and from reality and fantasy. However adults are always the sore point. Barrie's producer and financier (Dustin Hoffman) thinks little of this strange play with red Indians, fairy lights, an overgrown dog, a ticking crocodile and just thinks he will lose more money. Julie Christie as Winslet's frosty mother is wary of Barrie and think he is a disruptive influence.Marc Forster directs with aplomb and makes good use of visual trickery and gets enchanting and solid performances from his young actors such as Freddie Highmore.However it is a slight story, semi fictionalised and also wastes some of its actors. Dustin Hoffman who appeared in Steven Spielberg's Hook is wasted and just disappears from the film. Once Winslet falls ill you can guess where this is heading and gets a little too sentimental.The film is heightened by a restrained and gentle performance by Depp.

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grantss
2004/11/18

Wonderful, emotional movie.It is the early-1900s and author / playwright JM Barrie's latest play has flopped. He is in need of inspiration and meets Sylvia Llewelyn-Davis and her four sons. They ultimately inspire him to write Peter Pan...Incredible (true) story. The depth of emotion involved, and the wonder of seeing a creative genius at work make this a very moving journey. Excellent use of dream / fantasy sequences as we look inside Barrie's mind.Great work by Johnny Depp in the lead role, a performance for which he got an Oscar nomination. Good support from Kate Wnslet as Sylvia and Julie Christie as her mother plus also Radha Mitchell and Dustin Hoffman. The kids are great too - some of the best performances by child actors you'll see.

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