I loved it.

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2004)

I wouldn't dare presume to tell people what they are and are not going to like. I'm going to instead describe what I like. I love the imagination in this film. I love it that Johnny Depp is acting like the 40-year-old he is, and I think he's matured beautifully as an actor. As someone who doesn't speak with a British accent, he nonetheless had me convinced he was Irish or Scottish or whatever he was supposed to be. Compared to Jodie Foster's trying to be British in the otherwise wonderful "The King and I", Mr. Depp was fabulous. I loved the Tim Burtonish touches in this film that reminded me so much of another wonderful movie, "Big Fish". And the children. What wonderful children, especially young Freddie. As the trivia section suggests, the screenwriter took some artistic license with the truth; but since when has the truth gotten in the way of a good story? I have no idea what the criteria are for Oscar films; but I wouldn't be surprised if this were a contender, even though I want "Ray" to win.