Film: Finding Neverland

Directed by: Mark Forster

Year: 2004

Starring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Dustin Hoffman

Reviewed by: The Zombieslayer

Johnny Depp has become my favorite actor out there. He brings his unique charm to every role he plays. I probably wouldn't like his politics too much, but as an admirer of film, I set that aside and just judge him for his work. As for Kate Winslet, always a pleasure to see her in a movie, even though this is only the second one I've seen her in. She reminds me of the more old school actresses, the ones with charm and class, like Audrey Hepburn.

Finding Neverland is about J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. You have probably heard of the Peter Pan Syndrome where the "inflicted" refuses to grow up. Well, Mr. Barrie definitely had it.

He had it because of a life full of unfortunate events. His father died when he was very young and older brother died in the midst of his childhood. After the death of his older brother, his mother had a nervous breakdown, never noticing the young Barrie until he dressed up as his older brother.

Mr. Barrie wrote screenplays with some of them making him wealthy, but none as great as Peter Pan, a play that was revolutionary for its time. That play was so magical that fifty years later, Walt Disney made a movie out of it.

Kate Winslet played the widowed mother of several boys that Barrie met while playing in the park with his dog. Barrie befriended the children and later Winslet's character, all at the expense of his marriage to his wife.

I won't give away more of the plot than that, but I will say that this movie was magical and a must see for those who love fantasy. Barrie loved his Neverland and only wanted to share it with others.

And yes, even though I am The Zombieslayer, my first love in film is the fantasy genre. Zombies are real life, and fantasy for me is escapism, so that's why I prefer fantasy to horror or any other genre. But enough about me. Go see the movie if you have yet to see it. 8 dead zombies out of 10.

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