Isn't it ironic that kids can't wait to grow up, while adults long for their more carefree days of childhood and/or wish that they were younger? That was one of the underlying themes of "Peter Pan," the beloved story told countless times in literary, stage and film versions ever since first being performed back in 1904.
For those who may have wondered what prompted a 44-year-old playwright to pen the well-known work, the answer may lie in "Finding Neverland." As they often like to say, the film is "inspired by true events," meaning that only historians will know how much liberty director Marc Forster ("Monster's Ball") and screenwriter David Magee (making his debut by adapting Allan Knee's play) have taken with the truth. Regardless of the amount or degree of such liberties, the resultant film is completely engaging, often highly entertaining and -- so far -- one of the best of the year.
Much of that obviously stems from a smart script that not only chronicles and/or re-imagines the historical elements, but also shows the parallels between the playwright's life and his eventual work. The knowledge of who and what the movie is about will obviously benefit those in the know who will catch the early origins of the piece. But even those who don't know Barrie from the peanut butter named for his literary namesake or only think of Michael Jackson when they hear "Neverland" will probably find the effort to their liking.
Forster does a masterful job of balancing reality and history with flights of fancy as well as pathos with whimsy. The film never feels forced, contrived or rushed and everything fits together into a tidy, well-made and emotionally moving package.
While the work behind the camera obviously has much to do with that, the efforts in front are what really sell it. Playing the playwright whose name has been lost in time for most of the masses, Johnny Depp ("Pirates of the Caribbean," "Blow") is superb. Once again adding all sorts of fine nuances to his performance, the actor continues to amaze and surprise with his thespian abilities. Perfectly capturing the essence and aura of a receptive and imaginative writer, Depp delivers a knockout performance that's sure to be one of the best of the year.
Playing opposite him is no cinematic slouch, and actress Kate Winslet ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "Iris") easily stands up to his onscreen prowess. While her material is less flashy and easily could have been swept away into a melancholy sea of mediocrity and melodrama, Winslet more than keeps things under control and thus delivers much of the film's sizable emotional wallop.
Supporting performances from the likes of Radha Mitchell ("Man on Fire," "Phone Booth") as Barrie's estranged wife, Dustin Hoffman ("I Heart Huckabees," "Confidence") as the theater producer, and Julie Christie ("Troy," "Afterglow") as the overbearing and manipulative mother character are also good. The latter's could have been fleshed out just a tad more, but the symbolism of her inspiring the play's villain is fun to behold.
Kudos, though, should go to Freddie Highmore ("Two Brothers"), Luke Spill (making his feature debut), Nick Roud (ditto) and Joe Prospero ("Intimacy") who play Winslet's character's kids who've been to Hell and back and then some in their lives. Their characters are obviously present to inspire the formation of the play's kids, and all are quite solid in their roles with good interaction with Depp and his character.
The beauty of the film is not only in how good the work is on both sides of the camera, but also for the way it changes one's view of its source material. "Peter Pan" was and still is a fabulous piece of symbolic literature designed to entertain and enthrall kids and adults alike.
While historians may debate or dispute the artistic liberties -- if any -- that the film takes with the truth, everyone else will have a newfound and deepened appreciation of the original work. That two for one experience only makes the film seem even that much better. Once can only hope that everyone goes out to find "Finding Neverland." The film rates as an 8 out of 10.
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