Finding Neverland

How many of us wish we could be children again? Care free, innocent, with no boundaries on what our imaginations could create or where it could take us?

A film that gives us a taste of that wonderful time in our lives would undoubtedly be Finding Neverland.

This brilliantly acted and directed film truly inspires me every time I see it. It stars Johnny Depp as the scottish playwright J.M Barrie, the creator of the play and book Peter Pan. Most of us are used to Johnny Depp playing offbeat and eccentric characters such as Jack Sparrow or The Mad Hatter, but seeing him play a charming, soft spoken gentleman is such a wonderful switch that it keeps you glued to the screen. Kate Winslet plays Silvia Llewelyn, the mother of the boys who inspired Barrie to write his play. As usual she plays it with such honesty that you forget that she is the Oscar winning actress and believe that she is a struggling mother whose only wish is for her boys to grow and be happy. Not only is the two leads brilliant but the young Freddie Highmore shows us how talented of a child actor he really is. When this kid cries we feel his pain. It's so wonderful to see such a young child standing effortlessly next to Johnny and Kate and holding is own. I love the scenes were Barrie is pretending with the boys because that is so very much like how we all were when we were kids. We're pirates now? Well this bed is NOT a bed...its a ship! The family pooch is certainly not a Schnauzer, that is a shark waiting for someone to walk the plank!
This movie brings together joy, sorrow, love and heartache so seemlessly that if you don't get a lump in your throat by the end of it then you sir (or madam) need to let go a little bit!
It helps us remember that growing up is important and a part of life, but don't try and do it too fast. Live in the time now and enjoy every moment of it.

Finding Neverland is a classic movie that I will always treasure deeply. It's one of those special films that I will watch with my kids one day. It's something that will, hopefully, help them find their own way to Neverland.

It is a film that reminds us to, as J.M. Barrie puts it,

"Believe. Just believe."





As a special treat, here is a video that really shows the spirit of the film. Enjoy!