Memoirs of an Imagineer

Rating: Null/10 (31 October 2004)

"Finding Neverland" brilliantly and passionately chronicles the enchanting and fascinating identity of James R. Barrie, the imagineer behind one of the most inspirational children fantasies, Peter Pan. The film deftly explores Barrie's many personal inspirations behind the making of his "Peter Pan", as his experiences with Sylvia (Kate Winslet) and her adorable, remarkable children become the dominant subjects of Barrie's ideas, fantasies, and emotions. Take a critical look inside the mind behind the magic of "Neverland", and you will discover that his personal background was every bit as human, endearing, and enchanting as is professed in the "fairy tale", Peter Pan: Barrie is fascinated by the prospect of dreams becoming reality, and his life's strife is to somehow bequeath his wonderful, magical outlook on life's whims and wonders into the lives of naive souls who might become better developed in life because of these unfettered hopes and dreams. Johnny Depp perfects a curious Scottish accent to lend his versatile, imaginative personality to the magical architect, in a way that is greatly studied of perhaps the man Barrie strove to be, and passionate in exploring his many emotions, turmoils, and aspirations towards life and exploring the realms of possibility: one will notice that Depp seems to have provided a lot of study and calculation of Barrie in acting as convincingly passionate as Barrie really was, in his remarkably adept and human portrayal of this remarkably human character. This is definitely an Oscar-worthy performance, and Depp is so brilliant and enchanting in portraying this mystifying imagineer that if it weren't for an "allusion" to his recent Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean" (he briefly, in imagination plays "vicious pirate" with the children), one would conclude that Barrie was the only role he was born to play: talk about a talented and versatile actor! Kate Winslet, through most of the film, is much dissociated with the theme in her role as Sylvia, yet distinctly grows into a real character as the film progresses, an important subject to Barrie's heart and soul, and delivers a fine, genuine performance as this tragically disparaged, yet cherished, woman. As a film, this is essentially a "theater" of exploration, into the depths of heart and soul, and how it is sometimes best to "keep pretending forever" in order to elude the disparities of life, as Barrie apparently realized in his beloved "Peter Pan". This was a man who cherished the wondrous fruits of life, in finding companionship and inspiration with innocence (with the children, particularly Peter, who is inspired to challenge his surroundings to develop into his manhood), and realizing it is essential that life accept the notion that to "never grow up" and retain your imagination and innocence in life is to truly experience your hopes and dreams, in flying to escape to an imaginary world, say, known as Neverland. Perhaps "Finding Neverland" is at times overly sentimental in its message and overly fantastic in exploring the realms of James Barrie (sometimes lingering two heavily on fragmented social themes), yet it is precisely adroit in bringing the "theater of Barrie's heart, mind, and soul" into the conscience of today's demure audience, who have perhaps yet to realize the spirit of this remarkable, fascinating imagineer who realized the essentials and realities in life through acquaintance, discovery, and experience: courage, aspiration, tragedy, development, happiness forever. ***1/2 out of ****