FINDING NEVERLAND

Director: Marc Forster (Monster's Ball)
Starring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslett, Freddie Highmoor, Julie Christie, more

A la the "Polar Express" we have yet another film about the power of fantasy. This one was better put together, although nowhere near as magical. Johnny Depp gives a fine, subdued performance as J. M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. Here amid troubles in his own marriage he befriends a lonely widow and her 4 young children. Out of these relationships comes his love letter to the child's imagination, "Peter Pan". It's a simple, straightforward tale, where Barie befriends the children and helps them through their problems with the power of make-believe. This purity of form and character is important to the success of a film about the purity of imagination. It's a pleasant and enjoyable film, and although the entire story is about the power of imagination confronting the sorrows of real life, I don't think it does a particularly good job of educating the viewer on the true separation. It's a bit of a fantastical take on the power of fantasy, if you will. Quite a good film, but not great.

Standouts: One of those 'solid across the board' type of films.
Blowouts: I have minor complaints with the thematic material. Nothing significant.

Grade: A-