Oops...where did you put neverland

Rating: 6/10 (7 April 2005)

J.M. Barrie is one those people whose books reflected both realities and fantasies in their normal life. So his life has been much analysed. The creator of superman is getting the same treatment now.
For those who has seen only the Disney version of Peter Pan then you probably don't really understand the true depth of the story and it is worth seeing the newer version of Peter Pan released in 2003.
This is the story of how life, death, children, and other things around J.M. Barrie inspired his work. Like Shakespeare in Love this movie will help you get some insight into the mind of a great man, but it is far from historically accurate.
Other Peter Pan stories (not just the famous play) say Peter fighting against the boring stuffiness of upper middle class British society.
Here, Hollywood of course adds for to much sugar and makes it much more positive than the reality, while adding music to underline the tragedy.
While it is comfortable with the topic of death it fails to address the sexual issues in the play. J.M. Barrie is said to have never really grown up, and may not have been capable of having sex. Peter Pan reflects his sadness as those around him change from children to adults while he stays forever a child.
OK, getting over the fact that I have read a lot on the life of J.M Barrie it is still an entertaining movie about the creation of art. I am not sure whether to say watch Peter Pan first and then this movie or the other way around, either way would provide a portion of enlightenment (one viewing of this movie will provide the total of your recommended daily intake of enlightenment).
I think this movie lacked the courage to take us to harsh reality of neverland. For in Peter Pan, Neverland is wonderful and fantastic, but contains dangers and perils, with fears of death and sex. That was not present in this movie.