Good Family Movie

Rating: 8/10 (27 March 2005)

I said this was a good family movie, that is, if you don't look into other things: Barrie's relationship with his wife (they slept in separate bedrooms), his seemingly platonic relationship with the mother (neither one advances any interest in the other), and his compulsion to play with children (but that could have been research for Peter Pan). If you don't look at those things this is a good family movie. In other words, just watch and enjoy the movie, don't ask questions. May not be anything there anyway.
The pace is even and moves along nicely. I love the Scottish accent and Depp brings it off perfectly. We can only assume that Barrie was a more than even-tempered gentleman.
I would have liked to see Barrie be more consumed, okay animated, with this idea of a Peter Pan. Depp plays Barrie too laid back I thought, but if Barrie was a laid back kind of guy what choice does Depp have? No where in this film does Barrie get even mildly animated, except when he is playing with the kids, of course, and there it's okay. And, even there it is mild. So Depp's performance must be considered outstanding. In fact, Depp is outstanding in everything he plays in. Why hasn't he won an Oscar?
The whole production is excellent. Dustin Hoffman plays the part as Barrie's financial backer. Julie Christie plays Winslet's mother. She could have played her sister. I would like to know what Julie Christie eats. She looks more than great. Maybe I should go see Dr. Zhivago again. Do you realize how long ago that was? What does she eat? She looks really, really good.