Amazing, simply superb

Rating: 10/10 (7 February 2005)

When you enter the movie theater you expect to see a mildly interesting film. With average child actors, a talented adult cast, and most important, the one and only Johnny Depp. But, Finding Neverland is much more than that.
It starts with Johnny portraying the legendary J.M. Barrie. He has not had much luck with his recent plays that send even the most important people in London off to sleep. He needs some inspiration, and that just happens to come from a family he finds in the park one day. The Davies brothers just lost their father due to cancer of the jaw.
Their mother, Sylvia( Kate Winslet) is having a tough time making ends meet. George(Nick Roud), Jack(Joe Prospero) and Michael (Luke Spill) have begun getting over their father's death. Peter (Freddie Highmore), the second youngest, is still mourning. One look at Freddie and you're blown away. He acts like someone with 20 years of experience. When J.M. ("James") decides to put on a fantastical show with his dog pretending to be a circus bear, the other boys are thrilled, while Peter says "it's just a dog."
James quickly becomes very dear to the Davies. Everyone except their Grandmother(Julie Christie), who does not believe that a widow should be around a married man, especially when his relationship with his wife is not going well. Sylvia does not listen to her mother and has James over often. It is best for Peter, for he is slowly warming up to James.
Throughout his time with the Davies, James has begun writing a masterpiece, Peter Pan. He soon submits the script to Charles Frohman(Dustin Hoffman), the producer of his plays. Charles is desperate for a success, and accepts it, even though he thinks that it's rubbish. It turns out to be the best choice of his life.
This film is like you were watching the first showing of Peter Pan. The cast is superb, the direction is amazing, the screenplay is incredible. Everything flows perfectly. There isn't one part I would change. This is one of the best films I've seen and I'm sure it will remain that way for many years. Grade A