Finding Neverland (2004)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Marc Forster

Writers:

Allan Knee (play)
David Magee (screenplay)

Release Date:

24 November 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Family

Tagline:

Unlock your imagination.

Plot:

The story of J.M. Barrie's friendship with a family who inspired him to create Peter Pan.

Plot Keywords:

Play | Peter Pan | Widow | 1903 | Friendship

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 16 wins & 54 nominations

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 - Usher
Eileen Essell	...	Mrs. Snow
Jimmy Gardner	...	Mr. Snow
Oliver Fox	...	Gilbert Cannan

Also Known As:

J.M. Barrie's Neverland (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild thematic elements and brief language.

Runtime:

106 min | USA:101 min (DVD) (Encore print)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Taiwan:GP | Iceland:L | USA:PG (certificate #39814) | Malaysia:U | Netherlands:6 | South Korea:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Malaysia:U (DVD) | New Zealand:PG | Sweden:Btl | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Brazil:Livre | Canada:G | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Chile:TE | Czech Republic:U | Finland:K-7 | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:I | Ireland:PG | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

During the formal dinner scene, Johnny Depp placed a "fart machine" under Julie Christie's chair. He had a remote control that he used to trigger a fart sound from the device. The children are laughing more at that than from playing with the spoons.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Barrie is rebuffing Peter for saying Porthos is just a dog, the stuffed toys behind Peter change orientation in relation to Peter at least twice.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Charles Frohman: Opening night. I love opening night. How are you? Did you see him?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Allemaal film: De amerikaanse droom (#1.6)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Medieval and Renaissance Fanfare No. 7

Beautiful, Moving Movie with Very Few Flaws

I had heard that this was merely a "chick flick." Hey, my wife is the one who wanted to go see it. As it turned out, I went with three other guys, and we all loved it.

Some movies entertain; some teach; some open up new worlds. This movie opened up new worlds. With each passing scene, carefully woven from the previous ones, it was like crossing yet another threshold into another world. The story unfolded deeper and deeper with each new scene, each layer adding not to complexity (the story is rather simple), but to the depth. Depp and the others (esp. the young actor who played Peter) easily lead the audience deeper and deeper into the paths of authenticity, healing, love, friendship and the triumph of inner strength. The other characters, likewise, garnish the central story excellently.

The only flaw I saw is, I'm sure, a matter of taste and perspective; I felt the grandmother was simply too two-dimensional and not as believable as she should have been, though she, too, had some beautiful moments that truly added to the film.

Having much experience with divorce (being a divorce attorney) I found the unfortunate relationship between Depp's character and his wife believable to a tee: two people deeply in love with each other yet more committed to personal pursuits than tending the difficult relationship we call marriage. Ironically, though Depp's character ultimately became the main caretaker of the four boys, by following the tender feelings of his heart, he allowed his marriage to evaporate by not following the other tender feelings of his heart.

Nearly perfect. I give it a 9 out of 10.