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 "Finding Neverland" Chris' Review: "Just a bit of silliness, really." You'll discover quite a bit more than silliness in Finding Neverland. I've never been one for the story of Peter Pan. I've never seen the play and all the Disney adaptations have seemed a bit on the silly side. Finding Neverland makes me want to go out and rediscover it. It was based on the life of J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) and adapted from a play by Allen Knee, The Man Who Was Peter Pan. The story-telling mixes a very serious plot (J.M. Barrie's failing marriage, his struggle with his creative slump, the social scandal he created spending so much time with the Davies family, and the failing health of Sylvia Davies (Kate Winslett)) with just a tad of fairy dust at the edges (shots of Barrie playing with the boys cutting from reality to fancy and back again). I can't say enough about the visuals in this movie. It blends, perfectly, Barrie's fancied imagination with a very realistic period set. Using the special effects of the day to convey the imagination of Barrie. The entire movie was done with a minimum of effects (making the credits a refreshingly short view) yet it completely fulfills your understanding of Barrie's Neverland. Pirates, cowboys, and fairies all crowd the screen and you're sucked in much like Sylvia's icy mother (Julia Christie). The story is light, yet serious; fanciful, yet rooted in reality; dramatic, tragic, and ultimately moving. One of the anchors for this is Johnny Depp. His depiction of Barrie was fun and inviting, but never over the top. He creates a thoughtful and quirky character while reining it in just enough to buy him as a gentleman with real grown-up problems. This is just another performance in a long string of parts that prove that Depp will be known as the greatest actor of his generation... whether he wants that title or not. Kate Winslet also plays up to her, much renown, abilities. Always comfortable with Barrie but with a hint of uneasiness in her eyes as she realizes that society doesn't approve of her friendship. The subtleties in that tightrope of execution add so much to the underlying feeling of unease throughout the film. Julie Christie as Mrs. Emma du Maurier keeps her performance just to the shy of cliche as the controlling matron, yet in the end warms up phenomenally, unexpectedly, and without a hint of Hollywood theatrics. She manages to play a cliche without making it seem like a cliche. A tough act to manage. All of the actors make surprisingly good performances.. so you can only assume that the director, Marc Forster, is somewhat to blame. Monster's Ball, then this... I'm anxious to see what he comes up with next. Finding Neverland uses some pretty familiar plot devices to yank some tears out of the audience, but you don't really mind, because the film is done so well. You don't mind giving up that little bit of yourself to the story and letting it completely overtake you. I loved this movie, for it's genre, it's alive with constant motion and fluidity. I give it 8 thumbs up. I must have this to complete my Johnny Depp collection if nothing else. Who's looking forward to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? 
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