Johnny Depp turns in another wondrous, heartfelt performance

Rating: 9/10 (19 December 2004)

Johnny Depp shines in this wonderful, clean, and fun family film about the man who created "Peter Pan" and the real-life boys who inspired him. That man's name was J.M. Barrie, a Scottish playwright living in turn-of the-century London and trapped in a loveless marriage to failed actress Mary (Radha Mitchell). One day, while in the park writing down his thoughts in a notebook, he meets the lively Davies family, consisting of a mother (Kate Winslet), and her four boys. The one that affects Barrie the most is Peter (Freddie Highmore, soon to be Charlie in Tim Burton's remake of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) because he sees his own younger self in the boy. He teaches the boys to use their imaginations and because of their free-spirited, youthful adventures Barrie begins to think of a new play, the one that will make him famous: "Peter Pan."
Johnny Depp brings a sense of grace and fun to his role, in a very non-showy performance that somehow still manages to be the center of the film. He is almost overrun by young Highmore, who at the film's conclusion delivers the most piercing scene in the film with Depp. One of the shots, when he gazes straight at the camera as a tear slowly rolls down his cheek, would make anyone ashamed of growing up and betraying their own inner Peter Pan. Dustin Hoffman provides outstanding support as Barrie's grumbling but kind producer and Julie Christie as Mrs. Davies' overbearing mother, who provides Barrie's inspiration for the villainous Captain Hook. And as Mrs. Davies, Kate Winslet shows once again how fine of an actress she is, stepping back into her normal British accent after playing an American in this year's earlier "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" with Jim Carrey.
Director Marc Forster ("Monster's Ball") uses subtle techniques and themes throughout the film without trying to be too artsy. He just lets the actors do their work and infuses the scenes of Barrie's imagination with a youthful splendor that helps infuse the movie with an emotional tenderness that is no longer seen in today's films. There is barely anything offensive in this film. Forster uses no clichés except a tear-jerking conclusion, but it works so well, and the actors never make it too melodramatic. Because of its heartfelt acting and scenes infused with the wonders of the imagination, "Finding Neverland" proves to be a magical ride for the whole family, with Johnny Depp showing his chameleon-like acting abilities yet again in a flawless Scottish accent and carefree attitude. It's an uplifting, joyous film, and I recommend it to anyone who longs to relive the grand innocence of youth.