The delicate situation of a man-child and the legend he creates

Rating: 9/10 (26 June 2005)

Who'd have thunk that the director to take this adaptation of the play "The Man Who Was Peter Pan" to the screen would be the same guy who directed "Monster's Ball"? Then again,who would've thought that the guy who was once Cry-Baby,Edward Scissorhands,Hunter S. Thompson,George Jung or Captain Jack Sparrow would be able to put such a gentle and accurate touch to Pan's creator,James M.Barrie?
This offering(a previous commentary was spot-on about this)was a very hyped and Award-ready film,brought to the viewing public by none other than the Weinstein Brothers and Miramax. But still--almost in spite of the publicity overkill--this film is every bit as special and remarkable as its press would have one to believe.
Barrie(Johnny Depp)is a frustrated playwright living in London whose chance meeting with an old-monied widow(Kate Winslet) and her four young sons allows for the inspiration he needs,eventually culminating in the creation of the book,then play "Peter Pan".
The story is,as most stories of famous occurrences,a richer and deeper tale. The play itself is quite a reach for early twentieth century theatrical production,and selling his already skeptical,bottom-line producer(one-time Captain Hook Dustin Hoffman,understated and brilliant as ever here)is a difficult chore. Barrie's marriage to soft-spoken Mary(Radha Mitchell,also proving to be chameleon-like in her career thus far)is already cold and about to grow colder due to her husband's interest in the widow and her sons. Then,there's the complicated relationship between the widow and her sons(among them,Freddie Highmore as Peter,the most stubborn and sullen of the four),which is unusual for any period. Added in the right amount of tension from the protective mother of the widow Sylvia,played with quiet strength by screen veteran Julie Christie. The director and writers rightly gambled on mixing elements of fantasy into the very real story that is brewing here,because without it,it feels like the explanation of a man-child wanting to manifest his simple dreams into real fantasy might seem stilted or truly strange. Instead,it gives it the right amount of understanding and depth.
While there are some similarities to another man-child who's become famous for delving into his own never-ending fantasy of youth and adventure while attaining fame and fortune for his own artist endeavors(I won't name names but here's a hint:his name rhymes with Rykol MAckson),what I've read about Mr.Barrie and what just about anyone who has owned a television has heard or learned about the King of Pop tells me that J.M.Barrie's life was considerably less sordid or disturbing than the man recently acquitted in a California court.
This film is a wonderful story within a story. Acting,direction,script and effects are all very memorable. Don't let the genteel,costume-type productions fool you:this film is as accessible as it is fanciful. You might even want to bring a hankie,too.