Finding Neverland
As did the Lewis Carroll/Alice in Wonderland-rootedDreamchildbefore it,Finding Neverlandexplores the all-too-human roots of an English children' s literature classic, in this case author James Mathew Barrie's (Johnny Depp) enduring fable,Peter Pan. Polish stage composercumfilm scorer Jan A. P. Kaczmarek takes the film's fantasy-leavened, yet ultimately bittersweet tale of Barrie, his losing battle with adulthood and the magic world of prose it inspired and invests it with an exuberant score that positively pulses with youthful abandon. Dominated by joyous writing for strings, winds and children's chorus and punctuated by the effervescent solo piano flourishes of Leszek Mozdzer (and a few other inviting ethnic conceits), the composer's music not only playfully vamps the tale's Edwardian era, but does it with an ear towards optimistic, youthful energy that's irresistible. Mozdzer also contributes several masterful solo piano interpretations of Kaczmarek's themes that, while not strictly a part of the film's score, contribute greatly to making this album a compelling whole unto itself.--Jerry McCulley