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My nephew said that where Johnny Depp is concerned with me, he can do no wrong. Every role he plays offers a different performance, attitude, and even various accents. That's the case here in "Finding Neverland," where his portrayal of JM Barrie is most impressive. I bought the tape for that reason, just as I collect most of Depp's movies. If I like a movie, I *will* watch it often (e.g., "The Godfather" is probably the most watched movie in this house; we've watched it since 1972 through VHS and now DVD and are never bored by it). This is the case with Johnny Depp movies. I can watch any of his early movies (e.g., "Benny and Joon") to an indie ("The Man Who Cried") to his playing a supporting but major role ("Chocolat") and never tire of the movies. This is because they all have the Depp "magic" that bring the movies alive and constantly interesting. "Finding Neverland" may not have been a blockbuster, but Depp and Winslet's performances (and Julie Christie and Dustin Hoffman's) were as enchanting as the story of Peter Pan itself. When Barrie brings the set of Neverland to Winslet's character, the cinematography is dreamlike, romantic, and ultimately sad. Even so, as my nephew said, Depp can do no wrong.Read full review
The Film Finding Neverland is one of those films that come along that are different enough to make critics swoon with delight because its not the same hum-drum crap that Hollywood gives us week after week, month after month, year after year. But the real question should be: is it really as good as everyone says it is or is it merely given praise because there is nary an explosion or chase scene to be found? The answer lies somewhere in the middle. J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) is fresh off writing a play that nobody liked, living with a wife that loves her social standing more than she loves her husband (or the thought of children), and a yearning to live his life in the care-free manner of a child. On a trip to the park one day, Barrie meets the four boys of the widow Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet). And before you scream "PEDOPHILE," Barrie's interest in the kids is one of inspiration. As they are living the life he would like to live, he joins them in their imaginative adventures and even helps to bring young Peter (the boy who ends up playing Charlie in the Chocolate Factory later) out of his grieving shell. There was quite a buzz surrounding this film, even garnering Depp another Best Actor Nomination, and a lot of it is justified. The acting from Depp, Winslet, and the four boys is better than average. Director Marc Foster keeps things stuffy and square in the "real" world but is able to open up some stunning sequences when the boys and Barrie are wrapped up in their imagination. That said, I wouldn't go so far as to call this a masterpiece or anything. It's unfortunate that this small film is never completely able to break out of its smallness. There isn't anything here that you haven't seen already and it's doubtful that you'll linger on any deep thoughts after viewing. The best it may do is make you want to watch "Peter Pan" again. What baffles me about this film is it's denial to explore the real story of J.M. Barrie and his unusual fascination with the Davies' family. According to all accounts, Barrie started hanging around the kids before Sylvia's husband died, who moved his family to get away from Barrie. Add that to the rumors of an extra-marital affair and the pedophilia rumors and you've got some good indie drama. But Finding Neverland only seems to find the good in Barrie, his divorce, his work, and his play. And while it may seem refreshing to some; it feels incomplete to me. The Extras You will find commentary from the writer, producer, and director - which is standard fare. There are also deleted scenes (with optional commentary) so you can decide whether the editor was smart or not. There are also two featurettes entitled "The Magic of Finding Neverland" and "Creating Neverland," of which both could easily be seen as fodder in between movies shown on HBO (which is really what all featurettes are in the first place). The most interesting of the extras are the outtakes, which show you how Johnny Depp employs a "fart" machine to induce genuine laughter from the four boys during a pivotal dinner scene. Hey, even I laughed at that one.Read full review
Finding Neverland, or "Finding Pan" as it is known in my house, is a wonderful movie staring the incredible actors Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Dustin Hoffman and Julie Christie. The play-write Sir James Barrie (Johnny Depp) makes friends with a widow Sylvia Davies (Kate Winslet) and her three sons he meets at the park. This chance meeting and consequent friendship leads to questions about Jim Barrie's motives and problems with Mrs. Barrie. But after the death of the children's father, Jim Barrie was a well timed distraction for the kids and helped one of them in particular finally start to grieve. PS. The score (music) for this movie is the best! Won an Oscar for Best Original Music Score.
Bought it because of Kate Winslet. Can't do wrong with her in a film. Film was better than I expected.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The life depiction of author, J.M. Barrie, in this movie is quite captivating and imaginative. Although the portrayal of this Peter Pan author is not perfect, according to what history tells us, after you watch this movie you will see the human mind and spirit in a whole new light. You want to imagine you are a cowboy in an old ghost town ducking the bad guys shooting at you or that you are a pirate forcing a poor soul to walk the plank or even that you are a "slightly" ticked off, jealous Tinkerbell fighting for the attention and affection of a certain boy named Peter Pan. Although some points in the movie are little a vague and slightly indescript (such as the marriage troubles Barrie had with his wife) or even some historical inaccuracies, if you are open and imaginative you will love this movie from beginning to end. "I do. I do. I do believe in Fairies" and the power of a great feel good movie!Read full review
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