Finding Neverland
Finding Neverland ★★★ 2004 (PG)
Genteel drama takes the usual biographical license and makes sometimesobvious conclusions between the life and work of author J.M. Barrie (an equally genteel Depp). A celebrated writer in Edwardian London, Barrie is looking for inspiration when he meets recent widow Sylvia Llew elyn Davies (Winslet) and her four young sons: Peter (Highmore), Jack (Prospero), George (Roud), and Michael (Spill). The childless Barrie, detached from his own marriage, becomes increasingly involved with their lives, leading them in games and telling stories that revitalize his own crea tive juices, which result in the successful 1904 theatrical opening of his new work, “Peter Pan.” Though Barrie maintains a courtly, platonic friendship with Sylvia, his actions alarm his wife, Mary (Mitchell), and Sylvia's formidable mother, Emma (Christie). A threehanky affair, beautifully photographed by Schaefer, and adapted from the play “The Man Who Was Peter Pan” by Allan Knee. 108m/C DVD, Bluray Disc . US Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christ ie, Radha Mitchell, Dustin Hoffman, Kelly Macdon ald, Ian Hart, Eileen Essell, Freddie Highmore, Joe Prospero, Nick Roud, Luke Spill; D: Marc Forster; W: David Magee; C: Roberto Schaefer; M: Jan A.P. Kaczmarek. Oscars '04: Orig. Score.