very sad, but first-rate!

Rating: 10/10 (13 November 2004)

i had been looking forward to this film for some time and i found myself not in the least disappointed upon the viewing of it. the movie was very sad - bittersweet- but it had just enough humor in it to make it quite enjoyable. i felt the film had a genuine realism to it, despite being about the author of the master of escapism - peter pan (of course!). johnny depp did very well in his role, but it was a unique experience for me to see him so subdued. i could almost feel him holding back from his usual eccentricities. he was very normal(!), real, and tender. kate winslet was perfect as the tragic mother of the llewelyn davies boys. she conveyed sadness so well that just to look at her (nearer to the end of the film) made tears and all sorts of pain well up from deep inside me. i also must say that the most striking character was peter llewelyn davies played by (?)freddie highmore. his dialogue and the way he delivered it cut to the quick. he was very sharp and really held his own with the grown-ups. i hope many folks get out to see this sweet, melancholy, triumphant, touching film. i definitely hope it gets a decent run!