Here comes an Oscar for Depp!!

Rating: 10/10 (19 August 2004)

This movie was absolutely amazing in many ways. I was fortunate enough to see it on a sneak preview even though it does not open until November. It really is about believing in yourself and taking things lighter--these are many identifiable themes. This is a movie you could take your grandmother to--really enchanting and thankfully squeaky clean!! A warning: bring the Kleenex--I cried quite a bit!
It is all about J.M. Barrie's life and circumstances leading to his inspirations for writing "Peter Pan" and performing it as a stage play. Look for Hoffman in a rather small role, unfortunately, there is little of Captain Hook and it does not involve him--what a shame! However, his performance is still effective. Kate Winslet is, as always, very good as the mother of the boys. She has a touching subplot. Radha Mitchell is also good, although she plays the traditional "wife role", which gives her little to do more than pout. Julie Christie gives one of the better performances of the movie. You will fall in love with precious Freddie Highmore--easily stealing many scenes, and he is a formidable match with Johnny Depp. No wonder Depp fought for him to play Charlie in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". Finally, Johnny Depp is absolutely grand and believable as Barrie, mastering an accent, and using minimal makeup. He adds the perfect blend of childlike twinkle while also handling the adult role. If he is not in the Oscar race for Best Actor, I will be absolutely stunned, and I can usually pick them.
While this sounds like some mush-melon review, it is not really supposed to be anything more than to praise the movie for what it is. I didn't really even want to see this movie, and I ended up loving it, which is rare for me.
Anyway--go see it--you'll be glad you did!!