Finding Beauty in the Imagination

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2004)

Finding Neverland is one of the top five movies I have seen this year. Not since Mystic River has a movie been so deeply effective in it's rich, emotional tone. The acting is superb from Johnny Depp as the author Barrie, to Julie Christie as the stern mother figure, to the child actors who all turn in Oscar-worthy performances (most especially, the child who plays young Peter). The cinematography is rich and adds depth to the film. The costumes are gorgeous. The direction is swift and to the point, without sacrificing the story. This film is a good example of how one cinematic moment can speak volumes. The other great thing about this film is how it delves into the creative process and shows us Barrie's love of the theatre and his intricate mind. Like A Beautiful Mind, we get to see the inner process of a brilliant man. Attention movie studios: it would be nice to see a movie as good as this one, where a woman got to be the central character.