Believe in Finding Neverland

Rating: Null/10 (9 November 2004)

If you truly believe, anything is possible, and that sums up the theme of Finding Neverland, a wonderful, emotional journey of the heart. Suggested by actual events at the turn of the century in England, the story follows James M. Barrie, the man who would go on to write Peter Pan. How he got to that creative place serves as the fascinating backdrop to a story about people who are drawn together and bond amid interesting circumstances.
There is a bull's eye performance by Johnny Depp as Barrie who by chance meets a widow Sylvia Davies (enchanting Kate Winslet) and her four young sons who have recently lost their father from cancer. A younger son, Peter, is the focal point of the growing relationship between Barrie and the family. Barrie's childlike fascination with the magic of believing and the innocence of children is a recurring theme. At his summer cottage, he develops the story and characters that will ultimately become Peter Pan. An added subplot is Barrie's own marriage which is in the throes of deterioration. As the plot reaches its finale, Peter Pan, the play is ready for its premiere and real-life relationships mature.
Despite a slow, deliberately paced beginning, the film manages to deposit bits of layers of feeling, motivation and pathos that by film's end result in a mountain of emotion and connection. There is indeed a magical feeling of wanting to believe amid the love Barrie feels for his adopted family. The feelings are not unlike the end of Field of Dreams or Big Fish, and that's a good thing. The final frame is not easily forgotten.
How dare Miramax produce an intelligent film that has no violence, profanity, or sex? Even the screenplay is well written (Allan Knee and David Magee) with memorable lines that ring true. Production values are strong including crisp cinematography and period costume/set designs. The film looks like 1903 without being in your face. The pacing is very deliberate and steady, and there is nice intercutting of Barrie's real world and his interspersed fantasy world.
Johnny Depp underplays the role of Barrie in a measured, subtle way without losing sight of the creative, unique self who stirred his creative juices and shared his vision with those closest to him. Constantly fascinating to watch, Depp has moments which recall his previous roles in Ed Wood and Pirates of the Caribbean. He is hitting his stride as a strong lead and acting force, and Oscar nominations are waiting for him and others in the cast. Kate Winslet is good as always and has had a great one-two punch this year with The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. There is droll support from Dustin Hoffman as a theater producer who is given the best throwaway lines including a cute reference to his past role as Captain Hook in Spielberg's Hook. An older Julie Christie registers a strong supporting performance as Winslet's stern mother who dislikes Barrie's influence on her family. Special mention should go to Freddie Highmore who is terrific as the young Peter whose namesake serves as the title Barrie's masterpiece.
2004 is shaping up to be the year of the biopics what with De-Lovely, Ray, Beyond the Sea, Alexander, Kinsey, and Vera Drake among others. It would be safe to say that Finding Neverland is not only one of the best biography films but also one of the best films of the year. (Just be patient and let the magic do its work.)