Exceptional performances from a top notch cast and lush production design enhance an effective, old fashioned tear jerker that will be sure to take award season by storm. Johnny Depp is James Barrie, who coming off the failure of his latest play finds inspiration in the four boys of a dying woman (Kate Winslet.) That inspiration leads to Peter Pan being born. Director Marc Forster (Monster's Ball) goes less depressing, more inspiring this time, though both films end with 2 people sitting down conversing. (stupid observation i know). He handles both sides of the spectrum perfectly, though personally I prefer the bleak. Since I am an emotional robot, I did not cry, though I will admit to being moved by several sequences in the film. The kite scene, though not at all meant be sad, comes to my mind. Depp is good, though very restrained for Depp. Dustin Hoffman and Julie Christie have small but memorable roles. Among a cast of well known master classes, Radha Mitchell as Barrie's wife, Mary, and Freddie Highmore as Peter are wonderful surprises. Best performance in the film comes from Winslet as the dying mother, who as usual makes a tricky performance seem so effortless. One can only hope that in late January, she'll get a supporting nomination for this film as well as the leading nomination for Eternal Sunshine. Technical aspects of the film are among the year's best. The score is particularly grand, beautifully assisting the film without ever being intrusive. This is something that seems an impossible feat for a movie of its kind. Production design and costumes both are period piece simple and highly imaginitive when appropriate.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Random Thoughts: Finding Neverland
8/10
Exceptional performances from a top notch cast and lush production design enhance an effective, old fashioned tear jerker that will be sure to take award season by storm. Johnny Depp is James Barrie, who coming off the failure of his latest play finds inspiration in the four boys of a dying woman (Kate Winslet.) That inspiration leads to Peter Pan being born. Director Marc Forster (Monster's Ball) goes less depressing, more inspiring this time, though both films end with 2 people sitting down conversing. (stupid observation i know). He handles both sides of the spectrum perfectly, though personally I prefer the bleak. Since I am an emotional robot, I did not cry, though I will admit to being moved by several sequences in the film. The kite scene, though not at all meant be sad, comes to my mind. Depp is good, though very restrained for Depp. Dustin Hoffman and Julie Christie have small but memorable roles. Among a cast of well known master classes, Radha Mitchell as Barrie's wife, Mary, and Freddie Highmore as Peter are wonderful surprises. Best performance in the film comes from Winslet as the dying mother, who as usual makes a tricky performance seem so effortless. One can only hope that in late January, she'll get a supporting nomination for this film as well as the leading nomination for Eternal Sunshine. Technical aspects of the film are among the year's best. The score is particularly grand, beautifully assisting the film without ever being intrusive. This is something that seems an impossible feat for a movie of its kind. Production design and costumes both are period piece simple and highly imaginitive when appropriate.
Exceptional performances from a top notch cast and lush production design enhance an effective, old fashioned tear jerker that will be sure to take award season by storm. Johnny Depp is James Barrie, who coming off the failure of his latest play finds inspiration in the four boys of a dying woman (Kate Winslet.) That inspiration leads to Peter Pan being born. Director Marc Forster (Monster's Ball) goes less depressing, more inspiring this time, though both films end with 2 people sitting down conversing. (stupid observation i know). He handles both sides of the spectrum perfectly, though personally I prefer the bleak. Since I am an emotional robot, I did not cry, though I will admit to being moved by several sequences in the film. The kite scene, though not at all meant be sad, comes to my mind. Depp is good, though very restrained for Depp. Dustin Hoffman and Julie Christie have small but memorable roles. Among a cast of well known master classes, Radha Mitchell as Barrie's wife, Mary, and Freddie Highmore as Peter are wonderful surprises. Best performance in the film comes from Winslet as the dying mother, who as usual makes a tricky performance seem so effortless. One can only hope that in late January, she'll get a supporting nomination for this film as well as the leading nomination for Eternal Sunshine. Technical aspects of the film are among the year's best. The score is particularly grand, beautifully assisting the film without ever being intrusive. This is something that seems an impossible feat for a movie of its kind. Production design and costumes both are period piece simple and highly imaginitive when appropriate.
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