...
A FILM ONLY REVIEW
I could say that I watched 'Finding Neverland' as I am a huge fan of Peter Pan, or that I am fascinated by creative process, and wanted to see the writer at work. Or I could be honest and say that I like Johnny Depp's films!!
'Finding Neverland ' is a 2004 ... Read review
Sweetness that doesn't turn saccharine is hard to find these days;Finding Neverlandhits ... more
the mark. Much credit is due to the actors: Johnny Depp applies his genius for sly whimsy in his portrayal of playwright J. M. Barrie, who finds inspiration for his...
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Award-winning stars Johnny Depp (Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl), ... more
Kate Winslet (Titanic) and Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man) bring to life the story of a man who awakened the world's imagination, and the people who inspired him. Findi...
Sweetness that doesn't turn saccharine is hard to find these days;Finding Neverlandhits ... more
the mark. Much credit is due to the actors: Johnny Depp applies his genius for sly whimsy in his portrayal of playwright J. M. Barrie, who finds inspiration for his...
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The magical true story about J.M. Barrie, the author of "PeterPan." This enchanting, ... more
romantic tale stars Johnny Depp, KateWinslet, Julie Christie and Dustin Hoffman in an acclaimed story ofone of the world's most imaginative storytellers, and the famil...
Unlock your imagination... Finding Neverland is a tale of magic and fantasy inspired by ... more
the life of Peter Pan author James Barrie. Set in London 1904 the film is a fictional account of Barrie's creative struggle to bring Peter Pan to life from his...
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Where Is Mr. Barrie? The Park Dancing With The Bear The Kite The Chess Neverland - Piano ... more
Variation In Blue The Spoon On The Nose The Pirates The Marriage Children Arrive Drive To The Cottage The Peter Pan Overture Peter The Park On Piano The Stairs Impossible Opening The Rehearsal Neverland - Minor Piano Variation The Play And The Flight This Is Neverland Why Does She Have To Die? Another Bear Forgotten Overture
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Advantages: A heartfelt, beautiful film, and one of the best dramas I've seen in years. Disadvantages: None really - ignore my little rant!
== FINDING NEVERLAND ===
_Michael: Mummy, can we have Uncle Jim for dinner?_
_Sylvia: Have him to stay for dinner, Michael. We're not cannibals._
=== A FILM ONLY REVIEW ===
I could say that I watched 'Finding Neverland' as I am a huge fan of Peter Pan, or that I am fascinated by creative process, and wanted to see the writer at work. Or I could be honest and say that I like Johnny Depp's ... ...flop
Finding Neverland is really the story of Barrie's unfolding friendship with four young boys: George, Jack, Michael and Peter Llewelyn Davies (Freddie Highmore) and their recently widowed mother Sylvia (Kate Winslet).
In this (semi - fictional story), Barrie meets the family as they are playing and flying kites in Kensington Gardens while he is sat there writing, and consoling himself about the failure of his play. ... more
FINDING NEVERLAND
= Michael: Mummy, can we have Uncle Jim for dinner? Sylvia: Have him to stay for dinner, Michael. We're not cannibals.
A FILM ONLY REVIEW
I could say that I watched 'Finding Neverland' as I am a huge fan of Peter Pan, or that I am fascinated by creative process, and wanted to see the writer at work. Or I could be honest and say that I like Johnny Depp's films!!
'Finding Neverland ' is a 2004 biopic about playwright J. M. Barrie, directed by Marc Forster. The screenplay by David Magee is based on the play 'The Man Who Was Peter Pan' by Allan Knee.
This is the unusual story of J.M. Barrie, the Victorian playwright, who wrote "Peter Pan".
SIR JAMES MATHEW BARRIE
Born in Scotland in 1860, Barrie was a playwright and novelist who, after meeting the Llewelyn Davies family, created in 1904 a classic of children's literature - Peter Pan.
Peter Pan, the story of a fairy-like sprite of a boy has never grown up, so it is really no surprise to discover that Barrie himself was considered odd and eccentric. Barrie was a sort of "man-child" who never fully grew up himself.
When you read of his history it is easy to understand; at the age of 6, Barrie's next-older brother David (his mother's favourite) died two days before he was 14. Barrie tried to fill David's place in his mother's attentions, even wearing David's clothes and whistling in the same way as David had.
One time Barrie entered her room, and heard her say 'Is that you?' 'I thought it was the dead boy she was speaking to,' wrote Barrie in his biographical account of his mother, 'Margaret Ogilvy ''and I said in a little lonely voice, "No, it's no' him, it's just me."'
Barrie's mother found comfort in the fact that her dead son would remain a boy forever, never to grow up and leave her.
Barry also had a deep sense of playfulness, as portrayed in this film by the amazing Johnny Depp, (who received an Oscar nomination for best actor for this role). His love of stories, games and make-believe made him a source of lively and imaginative fun to children, who seemed to instinctively understand him better than his peers.
Unfortunately in later years there was speculation that Barrie was a paedophile or that he engaged in child sexual abuse, simply because of his child like ways and love of children However, there is no evidence of any such conduct, nor that he was suspected of it at the time. The children denied such rumours and one said, 'He was an innocent-- which is why he could write Peter Pan.'
THE FILM
This film is not about Peter Pan, or Neverland it is an exploration of the experiences that first inspired J.M. Barrie to write his famous story.
The story starts in1903, where the premiere of Barrie's (Johnnie Depp) latest play - 'Little Mary' is taking place at the Duke of York's theatre in London. Much to Barrie's and his backer and producer Charles Froham (Dustin Hoffman) horror, the play is a resounding flop
Finding Neverland is really the story of Barrie's unfolding friendship with four young boys: George, Jack, Michael and Peter Llewelyn Davies (Freddie Highmore) and their recently widowed mother Sylvia (Kate Winslet).
In this (semi - fictional story), Barrie meets the family as they are playing and flying kites in Kensington Gardens while he is sat there writing, and consoling himself about the failure of his play.
Barrie's platonic relationship with Sylvia Llewelyn Davies seems innocent and complicated at the same time. On the one hand, he loves playing with the boys, who quickly christen him Uncle Jim. He acts as a sort of surrogate father and finds ways to encourage their creativity and imagination. Sylvia and the boys have all been grieving in their various ways, and Barrie's presence brings laughter and hope into their home.
This also awakes a magic inside him and spending a summer with the family he gets new, incredible ideas and starts writing like never before. Their friendship, not only filling a lonely void in his life, inspires him to new heights in his writing, jottings that ultimately turn into the play Peter Pan.
All of this might seem very innocent if it wasn't for the fact that Barrie was married at the time. He and his wife Mary (Radha Mitchell) are childless, and portrayed as emotionally separated, yet it's clear that she's hurt by all the time he spends with another woman and her children
The most interesting aspect of the film is the deep sense we're given of Barrie's inward struggle, not necessarily just the superficial struggle between the two women, but also between adulthood and childhood. Making grown up choices is not always easy.
Depp portrays Barrie as a man who carries old childhood wounds, someone who has never felt comfortable or at home in his own adulthood. He treasures childlikeness and playfulness to the point that he can hardly bear to see the boys begin to grow up, though he understands that they need to, especially as more difficult circumstances close in on their family.
Johnny Depp is superb in this emotionally fascinating performance, as he portrays the "man-child" trying to help four fatherless boys grow up, even as he struggles to work out what that means for himself.
Johnny Depp's wonderful performance carries the film from start to finish, but he's supported by some great performances, mostly notably the young Freddie Highmore as Peter (the youngest and most emotionally fragile of the four boys) and Kate Winslet as the fatigued and baffled Sylvia, who doesn't quite know what to do with Barrie and yet can't seem to help loving him in some fashion.
Julie Christie plays the role as the boys' strict grandmother well, as she feels threatened by Barrie's untraditional but growing role in the family (I did like the part in the film when the grandmother points at one of the small boys, Barrie sees a hook in the old woman's hand and we can clearly see him shaping and creating the character of Captain Hook).
The costumes and sets are realistic and beautiful, as is the cinematography.
The cinematographer, Roberto Schaefer, made the viewer think they really were in 1903 not 2004, with his wonderful filming, both outdoors in the gardens to the more dimly lit cottage and theatre settings. The highly structured fantasy sequences are colourful and extravagant, some of them funny and one of them, in an emotionally climactic scene, a stunning fairy-tale world.
The Oscar winning score by Jan Kaczmarek lends even more beauty to this film.
The film is based loosely on the true story. It does take a lot of creative license, and glosses over or alters certain events in Barrie's life.. I can't help feeling that perhaps it would have been better keeping in the father in the film, because Arthur Llewelyn Davies also adored his boys.
Sad and emotional as this film is, the true story is even more tragic.
Barrie was a friend of both Arthur and Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and their family; in fact Arthur was at the premier of Peter Pan.
Arthur Llewelyn Davies died from cancer of the jaw in 1907. Three years later Sylvia died of lung cancer. The five boys are orphaned; and Barrie was made their guardian.
In 1915 George was killed in the First World War, fighting with his regiment in Flanders. In 1921, Michael, who was an undergraduate at Oxford, was drowned while swimming with a friend. (And possibly lover) The two bodies, when recovered, were found clinging together. On April 5, 1960, Peter Llewelyn Davies, by then an esteemed publisher, threw himself under a subway train in London.
ACADAMY AWARDS
Won Oscar for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score, Jan A.P. Kaczmarek
Was nominated for Best Achievement in Art Direction, Gemma Jackson (art director),Trisha Edwards (set decorator) Best Achievement in Costume Design, Alexandra Byrne Best Achievement in Editing, Matt Chesse Best Motion Picture of the Year, Richard N. Gladstein, Nellie Bellflower Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Johnny Depp Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, David Magee
CAST
Johnny Depp [Sir James Matthew Barrie] Kate Winslet [Sylvia Llewelyn Davies] Julie Christie [Mrs. Emma Du Maurier] Radha Mitchell [Mary Ansell Barrie] Dustin Hoffman [Charles Frohman] Freddie Highmore [Peter Llewelyn Davies] Joe Prospero [Jack Llewelyn Davies] Nick Roud [George Llewelyn Davies] Luke Spill [Michael Llewelyn Davies] Ian Hart [Sir Arthur Conan Doyle] Kelly MacDonald [Peter Pan] Mackenzie Crook [Mr. Jaspers]
FILM DETAILS
2004 Rated: PG for adult language and adult themes. Genre: Fantasy Drama Directed By: Mark Forster Running Time: 1:46
IN CONCLUSION
I know that I have droned on a little about too many dramatic liberties being taken for Finding Neverland to qualify as an actual biopic,this takes nothing away from the film.I just happen to have done a lot of research into Peter Pan several years ago. I think the way that the film is played works beautifully as both a good old weepie and also as an insight into Barrie and into the creation of a classic book.
One negative I would give, and not one that merits losing a star, is that the film under-used the talents of Dustin Hoffman, he was hardly in it.
In my opinion this lovely film is one of the most heartfelt and beautiful dramas in years with wonderful acting, an enthralling story, and a climax that can't fail to bring you to tears.
Advantages: Wonderful cast, great performances Disadvantages: The sound broke down at the cinema and the film made me cry
Scottish author JM Barrie was the man who will forever be known as the creator of “Peter Pan”. “Finding Neverland” shows how a man whose marriage and career were on the rocks found inspiration in a young widow and her four sons to write his masterpiece.
Marc Forster seems to be very much an actor’s director, having previously coaxed an Oscar-winning performance out of Halle Berry in “Monster’s Ball”, a feat that seems all the more remarkable considering ... ...and believable turns from the often hammy Johnny Depp, the tic-laden Dustin Hoffman and not one, but four child actors. And he does all this in a period piece that still has something relevant to say about the themes of childhood, imagination and the creative process. This is an extremely successful adaptation of a stage play that often belies its origins and succeeds in incorporating the old play-within-a-play chestnut, without it feeling hackneyed. ...
afy9mab 20.11.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Finding Neverland (DVD)
Advantages: A brilliantly acted, bitter-sweet biopic of J.M. Barrie Disadvantages: A glossing over of some of the truths
Finding Neverland is basically a film about the man who laments the loss of his childhood and who writes a story about a boy who doesn’t grow up. It is the story of Sir J.M. Barrie and his inspiration for his most famous book, Peter Pan.
David Magee based his screenplay on the play of the same name by Allan Knee. It is a fictional story “inspired by true events”; or so the caption at the start of the film tells us. . The film opens as Barrie (Johnny ... ...He is under pressure from his main investor (Dustin Hoffman) to write a new and more successful play. Whilst in the park, Barrie meets the Davies family: a widow, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet) and her four sons; Peter, George, Jack and Michael. As Barrie’s relationship with the family develops so does his new play. His playtime scenarios with the boys at Cowboys and Indians and Pirates reveal something of Barrie’s lonliness as well as inspiration ...
MAFARRIMOND 21.11.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Finding Neverland (DVD)
Advantages: wonderful story, excellent acting Disadvantages: sad
...Director’s commentary
The Magic of Finding Neverland
Creating Neverland
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
On The Red Carpet
Hubby did actually fancy seeing these but I said a massive No as I feel that I will loose some of the magic of the film by seeing how it was made and behind the scenes information.
The DVD has a running time of 97 minutes which I feel is a great length as the film kept moving at a great pace from start to finish. The certificate ... ...mild language and sex references but I have to say I noticed none of these and found that this film would make a great one for the whole family to sit down and enjoy together. Overall I do recommend this film to everyone as it is a wonderful magical insight to how J M Barrie came to write one of the most popular stories every written and even Hubby was impressed with it. We found this film to be even more enjoyable as it was based on true events. ...
sewbizzie 16.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Finding Neverland (DVD)
Advantages: Delicately acted and filmed Disadvantages: NONE
...was suggested we watch was Finding Neverland. This film was released in 2004 and stars Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie and Dustin Hoffman. For a few years now the personal life of Peter Pan's author J. M. Barrie has come under a great deal of scrutiny. Many critics are now become somewhat obsessed with the idea that Peter Pan may be an autobiographical representation of the author himself. In doing this they are therefore putting his relationship ... ...the above that the film Finding Neverland focuses on J.M. Barrie's personal life especially his relationship with the Llewelyn Davies brothers. The film begins on the opening night of one of Barrie's plays. The play is a flop and those backing the play are more than disappointed. Barrie (Johnny Depp) becomes somewhat disheartened yet doesn't give up on his writing and continues to take visits to the park. It is here that he meets the Llewelyn Davis ...
MI9to5 08.12.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Finding Neverland (DVD)
Advantages: Wonderful performances, Heartwarming story, excellent direction Disadvantages: Some historical distortions
...Hollywood movies of recent times Finding Neverland starring two of my favorite stars Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet . Its touted to be one of the strong Oscar contenders and watching this movie its understandable why. Finding Neverland is a throwback to the 50's and 60's era of Hollywood, where emphasis was on the story and characters, not on style and special effects. Finding Neverland is a movie that appeals to the kid in all of us, it's a throwback ... ...The Story Finding Neverland is the story of James M Barrie(Johnny Depp) a playwright who is also the man behind one of the greatest and most popular children stories of all time, Peter Pan . I am sure as kids most of us would have some time or other read about or at least heard the story of the boy who never grew up, the evil Captain Hook, the beautiful fairy Tinkerbelle. The movie starts with J.M.Barrie?s play which is a critical and commercial ...
cyberian1969 18.11.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Finding Neverland (DVD)
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Advantages: Johnny Depp - for individual see review. Disadvantages: The length of this review! See review for film disadvantages.
These two DVD's come in an attractive small box, and make the perfect present for any Depp fan - these were bought for my mother, who loves him as much as I do! Despite being bought together, they still have some extra features, and of course both are excellent films in their own right! I apologise in advance for the length of this review.. I haven't even written it yet but I can guess how long it'll get! There are no inserts in the DVD cases, but I believe the extra's on the DVD's are exactly the same as if you buy them individually.
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>> FINDINGNEVERLAND <<
> Synopsis
This is the story of J.M. Barrie's inspiration to create the classic story of Peter Pan - after one of his play's flops, he meets 4 young children in a park, leading to a remarkable friendship for life. Child-like himself with a vivid imagination, Barrie plays ...
Advantages: Clever, Insightful, story-in-a-story. Very much a feel-good movie. Disadvantages: Not many bonuses on the DVD
tragic events happen too. It can be heart-wrenching at times.
But there is a rare goodness about it. His feelings for the kids and their mother is so pure, so innocent, that you can't help look at the rest of the world around them with scorn as they try to keep Depp and Winslet apart.
The end is an emotional rollercoaster, but it extremly heart-warming. A great flick, it reveals Depp's acting ability like no pirate movie ever could.
The DVD had a few but not many extras. I had hoped for more but at least it was done as tastefully as the movie without some horrible gag reel. ...
Advantages: Finding Neverland-Beautiful and moving, Chocolat - Brilliant Disadvantages: None!
You can't go wrong, simply because he always plays roles which are interesting, and plays them well.
FindingNeverland:
General Comments: This film is about how the author (J.M. Barrie) of 'Peter Pan' came to write this wonderful play. It is heartwarming, touching and will make you both laugh and cry! The shooting is absolutely beautiful. Johnny Depp plays his character wonderfully (as always). He is complimented by Kate Winslet, who portrays the mother of the family he befriends. The children are also well done.
Plot: J.M Barrie meets a family of four fatherless children and their mother in the park. He then meets them regularly and spends time with the children, which inspires him to write 'Peter Pan'. At the same time, he is becoming more and more distant from his wife, the children's grandmother and the society in which they ...
Escaping from his stagnant married life, author Barrie is pushed into the lives of a widow and her four sons. Fatherless, the children provide inspiration for Barrie's hero who never wants to grow up. Based on Allen Knee's 'The Man Who Was Peter Pan', the film focuses on the experiences which inspired J.M. Barrie to write 'Peter Pan'.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINM; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Director Commentary, The Magic Of Finding Neverland, Creating Neverland, Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, On The Red Carpet, Audio Described English
Aspect Ratio
2.35 Wide Screen, 16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English German Italian Spanish
Award information
OSCAR
Best Music Original Score (Dramatic/Musical/Comedy) 2004 (Jan A.P. Kaczmarek)
Professional reviews
Review
The Year's Most Enchanting Film. (Daily Mail, )
Finding Neverland establishes its limits and then transcends them to provide a glorious entertainment for this holiday season (New York Observer, )
Glorious entertainment. (Rolling Stone, )
Depp is a charm. He becomes his own, subtly compelling Barrie. (Washington Post, )
DVD Description
Most people know the story of Peter Pan, the boy who refused to grow up. Director Marc Forster's (MONSTER'S BALL) FINDING NEVERLAND delves deeper, depicting a fictionalised account of the family and events that inspired the classic tale. At the turn of the 20th Century, Scottish playwright J.M. Barrie's (Johnny Depp) latest play in London has flopped almost as badly as his marriage to stature-seeking Mary (Radha Mitchell). During one of his frequent excursions to the park with his dog, Barrie meets four young boys and their recently widowed mother, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet). Soon Barrie becomes a frequent playmate to the children, using the boys' imagination to take them on fanciful adventures. He also becomes a friend and confidante to the overwhelmed Sylvia, much to the dismay of her overbearing mother (Julie Christie). Barrie's active imagination and interaction with the family inspires 'Peter Pan', a play that celebrates the child in everyone and the importance of believing in fantasies and miracles. A droll and amusing Dustin Hoffman appears as American Charles Frohman, Barrie's producer. The film also features young Freddie Highmore as Peter Llewelyn Davies, the inspiration for Barrie's title character.
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