Finding Neverland (DVD)

It's been nearly four years since I last went to the cinema so I rely mainly on reviews and word of mouth to choose DVD's to watch. Even so, I often find I've missed some gems and so it proved when I watched the brilliant film "Finding Neverland" on BBC2 on new Years Day. I was fortunate to find it since the TV guide I bought for the Christmas and New Year period had not placed it amongst the "must see" films. Frankly I thought this should have been amongst the best of the Christmas Films, since it's so appealing to adults and children alike. In case, like me, you have missed this film then let me tell you a bit more about ...  Read the complete review

Over the years Johnny Depp has played some diverse and delightfully eccentric roles. From wacky, CIA agent Sands in Once Upon a Time in Mexico, depressed and persecuted writer, Mort Rainey, in Secret Window, the charming and loveable Jack Sparrow and the peculiar Willy Wonka. The role he plays in Finding Neverland is another eccentric role but probably his most well adjusted character. Scottish novelist and playwright, J M Barrie is known to us all as the man who penned Peter Pan. Although the story has a magical quality to it and you could say it was the forerunner to Harry Potter there is an emotional and genuine tale underlying this well loved children's ...  Read the complete review

Studying Peter Pan at University one of the films that is was suggested we watch was Finding Neverland. This film was released in 2004 and stars Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie and Dustin Hoffman. For a few years now the personal life of Peter Pan's author J. M. Barrie has come under a great deal of scrutiny. Many critics are now become somewhat obsessed with the idea that Peter Pan may be an autobiographical representation of the author himself. In doing this they are therefore putting his relationship with the Llewelyn Davies boys under the microscope and often coming out with the idea that Barrie was in some shape or another a paedophile. ...  Read the complete review

The story of Peter Pan is one of the most famous cross generation tales of the 20th century. In its various guises, J M Barrie's most famous tale has taken on the form of an animated feature (which spawned a sequel), a live action film, and a bizarre long overdue sequel in the form of Hook. Here, in Finding Neverland, he gets his very own story told. Having befriended the Llewelyn-Davies family, James Barrie neglects his own wife and potential family. In them, he see's a muse for his writing. As he takes them off to the fictional Neverland in their minds, he also guides them through their hardships. At a cost though. Sylvia Llewelyn-Davies' mother is ...  Read the complete review

As is often the case with famous authors, many people will be familiar with their literary output but know very little about their creator. Finding Neverland addresses this imbalance in the case of J.M. Barrie, author of one of the most famous children's stories ever and offers a beautiful and moving, if highly romanticised story of an important part of his life. Johnny Depp takes on the role of the author and, as is often the case with this talented and versatile actor, turns in a classic performance. It seems that every role Depp touches turns to gold, but in the case of Neverland all lead parts, played by a heavyweight line up of stars are rich and ...  Read the complete review