Wonderful Movie

Rating: 10/10 (25 November 2004)

12/10.
I always love everything about James M. Barrie, Peter Pan, Charles Frohman, and Maude Adams (Peter's first American portrayer, and not depicted here). Add to that list Kate Winslet and Johnny Depp plus Julie Christie (ah yes, the beautiful "Lara" from Doctor Zhivago").
I saw this movie twice last night; our opening night. I am watching "Hook" on TV now. Just played my CD from movie "Peter Pan 2003". What can I say? "Finding Neverland" is just awesome. For a long time, I have been waiting for it to be released. I hope to get it later on DVD and/or video.
When Sylvia goes to Neverland/Heaven, it is such a beautiful scene instead of her being afraid. She is so brave and happy, and in actuality terminally ill. She is so totally touched by the beauty of this "Eden". There are exotic animals; some danced by ballerinas beautifully costumed. They are winged incredible fairies. The most beauteous of all are the young and elegant fairies, who carry Sylvia's train as she enters Neverland dressed in a beautiful gown. Then fade to black and the cemetery scene with everybody dressed in Edwardian black mourning clothing. This austere ending to such a beautiful jungle atmosphere: should get an award for making the audience gasp with total surprise.
Hoffman is great as Frohman (at same time, I was thinking about him in "The Graduate" as a very young man). I read, however, that IRL Charles Frohman was enthusiastic about "Peter Pan", and certainly never had any money problems in real life (he managed several theaters and many big stars) -- but that Barrie was skeptical and offered Frohman a backup play if "Peter Pan" was not successful. Ah well. Frohman, Barrie and Maude Adams (the first American Peter, as stated above) made a fortune from "Peter Pan", and in America Peter Pan played in New York and toured the U.S. through 1915 -- when Frohman was killed in the sinking of the ship Lusitania.
The kids were wonderful, especially Peter (who later in life committed suicide from all the comparisons to Peter Pan). Kelly Macdonald was just superb, and so sweet. Johnny Depp superbly underplayed Barrie, who in real life has been depicted as almost a lowlife. Mary Ansell Barrie probably deserved Gilbert Cannan. Maybe she never deserved James Matthew Barrie. Maybe bad things written about Barrie were written by jealous wannabes who didn't achieve his fame and respect: he became a Baronet and Chancellor of his university; several of his plays were made into movies in the 1930s, and "Peter Pan" has been made into several movies and continues to be produced as stage shows and ballets. And who hasn't heard of Peter Pan Peanut Butter?
For a villainess, Julie Christie is up there with the good and believable ones. I also enjoyed her in "Troy" this year as Achilles' (Brad Pitt's) mother. Kate Winslet is always so divine; "Titanic" and "Sense and Sensibility" -- and now "Finding Neverland". I always have read that Barrie became guardian of her five (not four) sons, and with no mention of her mother with dual guardianship. The dog was a hoot, especially the actor portraying him.
A++