"Finding Neverland" has nothing to do with Michael Jackson (phew).

Rating: 7/10 (5 January 2005)

"Finding Neverland" is a fact-based story about the life of J.M. Barrie, the author of the classic play and book "Peter Pan". Although the setting is England in the early 1900s, the movie is a sort of fantasy picture, often set within the imaginations of the characters. As Barrie, Johnny Depp is a playwright who is struggling with two things, fulfilling his marriage and capturing his creative output on stage. When he encounters a widow and her four children in the park, the quintet provide a conduit for his flowing imagination, an outpouring that results in the play for which Barrie is best known, as well as his domestic issues crescendoing to an ultimatum.
The power of imagination is the driving theme of "Neverland", and is also where the movie excels. During the adventures of Depp and the children, the picture jumps back and forth from the backyard or park to the theater of the mind, which ranges from dense jungle to the raging open seas. These transitions are exactly why cinema exists, to work as the mind does while reading a book, breaking the typical space continuum of stage and being. As good as these parts were, they could have been even better with more screen time or more elaborate production design. As it was, they are still the highlight of the film, but leave the viewer wanting more.
The medium also allows the audience to observe how "Peter Pan" was conceived. I grew up watching the animated Disney movie countless times, reading the book, even playing the titular character in a play, so seeing how Barrie's mind transforms commonplace events into fantastical adventures was exceptionally thrilling for me. I don't think that a knowledge of the book is required, but it definitely enhances the viewing experience, as you will not only pick up on the obvious clues, but also find other hints scattered throughout.
Depp turns in a fine performance as Barrie, earnestly illustrating the emotional frustration that he endures under the restraining expectations of society. While Depp shines as usual, the rest of the adult cast is merely passable, despite marquee names like Kate Winslet, Dustin Hoffman, and Julie Christie. The blame should not be pinned on them entirely however, as their parts are generally stock characters seemingly there simply for Depp to act against. The children's roles also suffer a bit from the script. Although all the youngsters are good, their words are often overly mature. But their eager and innocent faces are just as important, and in that realm they all succeed wildly.
What irks me most about "Neverland" is Barrie's flawed character. The creative aspects of his life are wonderfully presented, but the domestic portions emit a sketchy moral vibe. Despite the film's best efforts at portraying his wife as a borderline villain, I found her complaints about Barrie's physical and emotional absence understandable. Yes, they had many differences, both personal and societal, but to me that doesn't excuse his discomforting emotional affair, even if it spawned an all-time great piece of literature.
Despite that flaw, "Finding Neverland" is a fresh look at the liberating and connecting power of the imagination, and a glimpse into the creation of a classic, blissfully free of the pretense that often accompanies would-be Oscar candidates, Not as great as some critics think, but it provides a frequently enchanting experience, reminiscent of last year's Big Fish.
Bottom Line: It made most of the women in my theater cry, and brought a smile to my face. 7 of 10.