mildly entertaining

Rating: 6/10 (27 November 2004)

Let me begin by saying that I love period pieces, I love fantasies, and I love both Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. This seemed like a role made for Depp, - ala Benny and Joon, Pirates of the Caribbean- and Winslet, - ala Sense and Sensibility, Titanic, etc. It's just too bad they had no chemistry in this film... In fact, intentional or not, there was little chemistry between anyone except occasionally Depp the children. I found the children's performances rather stiff and, aside from a few scenes, unconvincing. I was not terribly impressed by the storyline which fails to mine the relationships between Sir James Matthew Barry and Sylvia Lewell Davies or his wife, Mary Barrie. Dustin Hoffman was solid as usual - but again, we get too little of him and it's never clear why his character is prepared to continue to back Barry's plays. Although it's cinematography is lovely, I was very disappointed with this film. The story had immense potential, and who could fail with Depp, Winslet and Hoffman? Too bad that despite all it had going for it,it just didn't make the grade. I honestly can't give it more than 6 or 6.5...