Hi,
Thanks for my first ever diamond and of course the continued rrc's. It's beginning to look a lo...
Hi,
Thanks for my first ever diamond and of course the continued rrc's. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! xx
Member since:08.02.2008
Reviews:278
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Studying Peter Pan at University one of the films that is 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 with the Llewelyn Davies boys under the microscope and often coming out with the idea that Barrie was in some shape or another a paedophile.
I personally do not buy into the whole idea of autobiographical readings. My opinion is that we can never truly know why an author produced the work he did and therefore we should just read and study the novel as a piece of literary work in its own right without bringing the author's personal life into things. I also strongly believe that it is unfair to question Barrie's relationship with the brothers, as we must realise that when Barrie was alive talking to children in the street or the park was not viewed as it is today and that viewing it in such a life is merely
or 21st century mind trying to sicken the actions of a late 19th century early 20th century man.
You may have gathered from 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 boys and their widowed mother, Sylvia (Kate Winslet). Having a vivid and wild imagination Barrie finds it easy to converse with and amuse the boys and is soon a frequent visitor to their house.
These visits however anger his wife but it is while he is with the boys, watching their make-believe games that Barrie finds his inspiration to write. This inspiration leads him to try and awaken the imagination with the boy's mother. Unfortunately she is quite sick but doing her best to hide it from her sons in an attempt to protect them. The boy's reactions to day-to-day events are soon part of Barrie's writings and as Sylvia becomes more ill Barrie's visits become more and more important.
Now I really enjoyed this film for the simply reason that it didn't buy into the idea that Peter Pan was the product of some grotesque and obscure relationship that shouldn't have been tolerated. The film instead presents the relationship in a very matter-of-fact sort of way. Barrie is depicted as a shy young man who finds a degree of solace within his own imagination. He enjoys make-believe games and believes wholeheartedly in the power of imagination. The boys are presented as his inspiration, the ones whole allowed him to make his extraordinary journeys to Neverland in order to create the story we have all come to love.
For their interpretation of the story and for staying away from some of the more sordid ideas about Barrie's life that are circulating I think that all involved with the film should be highly congratulated. The writers scripted a wonderful film that portrayed with ease a soft and sensitive Barrie's and didn't at any point try and taint the Peter Pan story. The lighting crew also need to be congratulated, as it is often the lighting within this film that enables this soft appearance to filter through. The soundtrack to the film is also very nicely done. Tracks are carefully placed at the correct points in the film, so as to achieve maximum effect yet not detract from the story being told.
Finally the acting within this film is in my opinion very strong. The actors playing the Llewelyn Davies boys fulfil their roles very well. They bounce of one another like a set of brothers should and therefore add a sense of realism to the film. Winslet is also very suited to her role and plays the tender yet ultimately strong Sylvia is a very respectable way. The chemistry between herself and Depp as Barrie is also visible from the start making the film a pleasure to watch. Depp's performance should also be commended as he seems to suit his role down to the ground and brings forward a wonderful picture of the sensitive and shy author.
The DVD in question contains subtitles in English, Italian, German and Spanish as well as an Outtake reel, deleted scenes, a director's commentary and a documentary on the creating of Neverland. The films running time is 97 minutes long and has a PG certificate.
The special features themselves are particularly anything special but the outtake reel is certainyl worth a watch even if it is just for a quick giggle at Johnny Depp's expense. The deleted scenes are mostly longer versions of some of the scenes in the film but there are a couple that are not in the film at all - I'd just like to know why. Now for the directors commentary. Well I can't really talk about this due to the fact that I haven't watched it, I never do if I'm honest but I'm sure that it is probably worth a look if you are into this sort of thing.
Finding Neverland is definitely something that I would recommend. It is a good family film that gives you a little glimpse into the mind of the man who created Peter Pan and a look into the lives of those that inspired him.
Pictures of Finding Neverland (DVD)
Family fun
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I'm sorry for the H, but for this to be a full DVD review, I would prefer to see a review of the extras in the same detail as your review of the film, not just a passing mention of them.
redeyes22 08.12.2008 23:51
great review aggy
tune57 08.12.2008 20:59
This is on my Christmas list, I do hope Santa brings it me as I have been a good girl this year ( well most of the time ) :-o
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...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
![Finding Neverland [DVD] [2004]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78485525.jpg "Finding Neverland [DVD] [2004]")
Dec 8th, 2008
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