Depp hits just the right tone in Neverland

Rating: 7/10 (13 December 2004)

While not entirely accurate in it's depiction this film does shed some light on how the story Peter Pan was conceived and it's accomplished by another performance by one of our more versatile actors. Story is set in 1903 London where we watch playwright J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) suffering through the failure of his new play but one day while walking in the park he meets a widow and her 4 boys. Sylvia Davies (Kate Winslet) is having a hard time keeping her boys under control but Barrie is immediately amused by they're fun and games and he's also attracted to her as well. Barrie starts spending more and more time with them and it doesn't sit right with his wife Mary (Radha Mitchell) or Sylvia's mother Emma (Julie Christie) who wants to run the household with more stability.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Barrie and the boys play assorted games such as cowboys and Indians and pirates and while all this goes on he continues to write in his journal until he gets the idea for Peter Pan. Unfortunately for Barrie, his wife Mary leaves him and Sylvia contracts an illness which will one day claim her life but before she passes on Barrie makes sure that she gets to see the play that her children helped inspire.
This film is directed by Marc Forster (Monster's Ball) who continues to show that he's one of the more talented directors to come on the scene in years. The script does take some liberties with the facts and it condenses it down to fit the story that Forster wants to tell but it's done well and he's assembled a terrific cast. Depp is arguably the most versatile actor working today and even though the script doesn't really explain the characters inner most thoughts the performance that Depp gives is still engaging. I did feel the film was trying to manipulate it's audience with the death of Sylvia but it seems to redeem it's reasoning with the scene of Barrie bringing the play to the household. The script could really have benefited more with a more concise story of why Barrie never really wanted to grow up and the only scene that tries to do this is the one where he talks of the death of his brother. With that, we still get a sense of believing that Barrie would be inspired by the Davies family and Depp once again shines in an entertaining role. As good as Depp is, young Freddie Highmore who plays Peter is terrific and the scene at the end of the film as he talks of still being able to see his mother is haunting. Even with the sentimental angle the script takes this film still accomplishes what it sets out to do and it does so through a talented director and a top notch cast.