The M&M's Take On: Finding Neverland

Finding Neverland is based on the true story of J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan, the classic children’s book. Barrie, a playwright struggling to create a masterpiece for the theatre, meets four children and their widowed mother Sylvia in a London park. Barrie begins to spend his free time with the boys and Sylvia, creating a stir in London society. Nevertheless, as Barrie teaches the boys to believe and imagine, they become the inspiration for a work of art that becomes Peter Pan.

Cast of Characters:

Johnny Depp………..Sir James Matthew Barrie

Kate Winslet………..Sylvia Llewelyn Davies

Dustin Hoffman…….Charles Frohman

Freddie Highmore…..Peter Llewelyn Davies

Rated: PG for mild thematic elements and brief language.
Runtime: 106 minutes

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Marc Forster

Q: What did you think of the plotline?

A: Mills - It was very scandalous! The sexual tension between Sylvia and James is undeniable even though they didn't act upon it, and the twist with James’ wife Mary is interesting. I liked the story all-the-more because it is based on true events. Another interesting part of the story is the struggle that Peter has with the world. He is a young boy who is trying to be a man. He wrestles with trust and self-worth. It’s a battle that everyone has fought at one point or another in life, which makes it fascinating to watch on screen.

A: Mooney - One of the key elements of the plot is imagination. As Barrie plays with the four boys, the film alternates between the world of imagination and reality. At first, I thought the imagination scenes were unbelievable and cheesy. However, by the end of the movie, as the audience learns to join in the imaginations, it became difficult for me to differentiate between reality and make-believe.

Q: Who was your favorite character and why?

A: Mills - James (Depp) was my favorite character—I think that is kind of the point of the movie. He is a mystery that cannot be unlocked by his wife; it seems that the Davies boys are able to get through to him because of their innocence. He feels that he can help their family situation, and in doing so, they help him. Besides that, Depp is an amazing actor. He is entertaining - a pleasure to watch! I loved him in Benny and Joon and Pirates of the Caribbean; Finding Neverland will just be another movie to showcase his brilliance.

A: Mooney - My favorite character was Johnny Depp. I first fell in love with him as an actor in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and again in Pirates of Caribbean. I am always amazed with the way he becomes his character whether he is a struggling teenager, a pirate or an adoring father-figure. He made the world of Peter Pan come alive.

Q: What specific part struck you the most?

A: Mills - The part of Finding Neverland that I keep coming back to is the part where James shows Sylvia Neverland. The directing is amazing! Sylvia’s house opens up to this unbelievable scenery that looks like a dream. It is lovely and symbolic—wonderful!

A: Mooney - The scene that captured my attention the most was a conversation between James (Depp) and Charles (Hoffman). James was struggling to write an accomplished play and is fearful of what the critics will say of Peter Pan. Charles, who is the financial supporter for the play, reminds James of what plays were like before critics took all of the fun out of it. (Kind of ironic since I am critiquing the film, huh?) The conversation serves to remind not only James but the audience as well that what is important is actually enjoying life, not conforming to society’s wants and desires.

Q: Describe your feeling about the way the movie was directed/cinematography?

A: Mills - The director was certainly creative! The movie is extremely random in the beginning. The director wasted no time showing that James has a vivid imagination and letting the audience glimpse his world. I’m not going to lie—I was confused by some of the scenes. But all the same, I soon appreciated the dreamy world the director painted.

A: Mooney - I was most impressed by the lack of intimacy or swearing. Even though James and Sylvia appeared to love each other, their love remained pure and innocent without the graphic sex scenes that characterize many films today. Also, the director managed to make London look like it would in 1903 with perfect costumes and set designs.

Q: What grade would you give it?

A: Mills - B+

A: Mooney - Although I thoroughly enjoyed the film, I would give it a B+. Even with the imagination scenes, it was a movie entirely based upon dialogue with very little else behind it. As such, I occasionally lost interest or my mind wandered because it was simply dialogue.

Q: What was your overall opinion?

A: Mills - I really enjoyed this film and will probably buy it when it comes out on video. It was strange how the scenes went from reality to James’ imagination - much like Moulin Rouge. If you go into the theatre prepared to see an unusual movie, you should like this film. And even if you don’t, Depp is so talented that you may be sold. I was.

A: Mooney - This is the type of film that, although it seems to be made for children, is actually for adults. Children would enjoy the dancing bears and clowns, fighting pirates and flying fairies. However, that same child would be lost during discussions of belief, reality and marriage. Nevertheless, the film was able to take my disbelief and criticism of make-believe and turn it into a belief in the imagination and creativity a child would enjoy.