Very enjoyable film.

Rating: 9/10 (18 August 2004)

This week I attended a preview showing of Finding Neverland in Denver, Colorado with the Director in attendance. The film does a wonderful job of showing the audience how the creator of Peter Pan met the family who provided the inspiration for the Peter Pan play. Each element unfolds very naturally and leads to insights into the play itself.
All the actors did an excellent job. Johnny Depp was wonderful as were Kate Winslet, Dustin Hoffman, and Julie Christy. The children were especially natural. The little boy who played Peter was extraordinary. Be prepared with handkerchiefs. Afterwards, an older gentleman in the preview screening Question and Answer session told the director: "Thank you for making me cry". Everyone in the audience was crying at the end of the movie including both men and women.
One note of special interest from the director - one character in a scene near the end of the film is the actual granddaughter of the Kate Winslet character and knew Barrie, the character portrayed by Johnny Depp.