when was the last time you wished upon a star?

Rating: 10/10 (19 August 2007)

I definitely agree that the trailers for this film don't do it much justice. I went in expecting to watch a children's tale similar to Narnia, but I was pleasantly surprised with the humor and poignancy of the story.
How could you go wrong casting Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert DeNiro in a film, right? But it was Claire Danes that gave a memorable performance as Yvaine. For a moment, she makes us believe that true love does exist. And it is able to put a glow in someone's life.
I haven't read the novel (by Neil Gaiman) that this movie is based on, but I'm sure there are a lot more nuances to the story than the movie is able to show. Topics like pretending to be who you aren't, infatuation, conditional vs. unconditional love, family.
All of these plot undercurrents are cast against the backdrop of a world where magic and fantasy are merely separated by a stone wall. I really admire the author and screenwriter for not taking this story too far. For not introducing dozens of characters that don't get the proper depth in a movie. And mostly for giving us a fun sense of wonderment when we look up into the night sky and see a particularly brilliant star.