The beauty in it all.

Rating: 10/10 (19 April 2005)

So when the screen went white with a small black "The End" written subtly in the middle, I felt the tear which tried four times in the past one-and half hours to roll on my cheek, finally did so. But I didn't feel what it was for: grief, joy or nostalgia. Whatever it is, "Finding Neverland" touched me like no other movie I saw this year did. And I don't think I know why. One cannot attribute this responsibility to any single aspect of a film like excellent acting by the whole cast, wonderfully written screenplay, magnificent set designs or brilliant cinematography to make Barrie's visions come alive. A movie such as this simply has to excel in everything to build such a strong emotional framework in the audience's mind. If any one is to give credit, the closest person is then director Marc Forster.
Today, when showing young-age imagination on movie screen inevitably means large bouts of special computerized visual and sound effects, it is a relief to see Forster depended primarily on detailed set designs and camera-work to achieve that. I don't know, but that seems paying actual homage to James Barrie himself. And what a treat that was. Every time the sets abruptly changed to make us see through Barrie's vision, when he played with the children or when he pictures Neverland to himself or to Sylvia, what I admired is Forster's vision. Just see this: when Barrie was playing the pirate scene with the kids in his cottage garden, it's all the ship, the rain, the artificially-made water etc on his (as well as ours) eyes, but every time Peter utters an out-of-place word, the scenes changed back to the cottage garden. Oh, how I liked that part. And when Barrie sees the children fly out through the window when they were jumping on their bed, that was perhaps the most beautiful scene in the movie.
If the credits for the visions of Mr. Barrie goes to Forster, that for the attitude certainly goes to Johnny Depp. Depp once again proves he is one of the few finest actors in Hollywood today. It's just unfortunate for him that he faces tough challenge every time he gets nominated for the Academy Award. Depp's J.M. Barrie comes with a calm, reserved yet strikingly warm and caring personality. And Depp managed that Scottish accent extremely well. And how nicely he fits into every character Barrie himself plays in his sessions with the kids. And he belts out some memorable quotes like no one else could have done... "Just a dog?" or "See? The boy is gone." for example and if you've seen the movie you'll know what I'm talking about. It is by far the best performance he has ever done, keeping in mind "Pirates of the Caribbean" or "Donnie Brasco".
And definitely, it is the best Kate Winslet I've ever seen too. I haven't seen "Eternal Sunshine..." but Kate as Sylvia is much more masterful than even Kate as Iris Murdoch. She is one of the rare actresses with a physical beauty that really makes such roles possible now-a-days. And how glorious she looks in a simple early twentieth century outfit. Her portrayal of Sylvia is flawless in every aspect of the character: joy, grief, contempt or sufferance as a patient. Watch her when she asks "What's it like?" despite of her grief for her dead husband and her chest pain when Barrie tells her about Neverland.
But it'd all be wrong if there were not Dustin Hoffman, Julie Christie and Radha Mitchell for the supporting roles. Hoffman plays Barrie's producer with immense personality. He is intimidating, but never harsh. He is a realist, yet he believes in talent. And he is never egotistic. These traits suited Hoffman nicely. For Mitchell, hers was not the best, but she manages to do what she was supposed to do. But Julie Christie's performance is a real surprise for the film. I'd like to see more of her in such character roles.
All the kids did a great job. It's not feasible to point out little mistakes in their acting but I think it would be a little better if the eldest boy, George could be played with a bit more emotion. But let's forget that. As long as we got this level of mastery in acting, directing and script-writing ("He is the real Peter Pan") I think I'd leave this review utterly without any kind of negative remark. Once again, it is a movie to watch in every kind of mental condition and definitely needs a second viewing. As someone else pointed out, if I see one movie this year let it be that.