Finding Neverland (2004)

Director:

Marc Forster

Writers:

Allan Knee (play)
David Magee (screenplay)

Release Date:

24 November 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Family

Tagline:

Unlock your imagination.

Plot:

The story of J.M. Barrie's friendship with a family who inspired him to create Peter Pan.

Plot Keywords:

Play | Peter Pan | Widow | 1903 | Friendship

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 16 wins & 54 nominations

Cast

Johnny Depp	...	Sir James Matthew Barrie
Kate Winslet	...	Sylvia Llewelyn Davies
Julie Christie	...	Mrs. Emma du Maurier
Radha Mitchell	...	Mary Ansell Barrie
Dustin Hoffman	...	Charles Frohman
Freddie Highmore	...	Peter Llewelyn Davies
Joe Prospero	...	Jack Llewelyn Davies
Nick Roud	...	George Llewelyn Davies
Luke Spill	...	Michael Llewelyn Davies
Ian Hart	...	Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Kelly Macdonald	...	'Peter Pan'
Mackenzie Crook	...	Mr. Jaspers - Usher
Eileen Essell	...	Mrs. Snow
Jimmy Gardner	...	Mr. Snow
Oliver Fox	...	Gilbert Cannan

Also Known As:

J.M. Barrie's Neverland (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild thematic elements and brief language.

Runtime:

106 min | USA:101 min (DVD) (Encore print)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Taiwan:GP | Iceland:L | USA:PG (certificate #39814) | Malaysia:U | Netherlands:6 | South Korea:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Malaysia:U (DVD) | New Zealand:PG | Sweden:Btl | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Brazil:Livre | Canada:G | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Chile:TE | Czech Republic:U | Finland:K-7 | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:I | Ireland:PG | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

Jim Carrey was considered for the role of 'J.M Barrie'.

Goofs:

Continuity: Frohman's dog "changes" between two dogs throughout the film. In the scene where Frohman dances with his dog, the dog he dances with has a tinge of ginger in his hair, whereas before the dog did not.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Charles Frohman: Opening night. I love opening night. How are you? Did you see him?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Making of 'The Phantom of the Opera' (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Medieval and Renaissance Fanfare No. 7

FINALLY! Sentiment you can swallow!

I don't cry at movies. No eyes welling up . . as a rule. Okay, I cried during Henry V (the Kenneth Branagh version) when the French army slaughtered all the pages in the English camp. I don't even tend to care for movies that might make me cry. I spend my hard earned big screen cash on movies with big effects or epic vistas ( think The Matrix or The Lords Of the Ring) Finding Neverland was a glorious exception.

Beautifully acted, sweet but not syrupy and perfect for a break from all the holiday madness, Finding Neverland was a true gem. I don't believe its for as young of a crowd as I watched it with ( the 4 year old beside me was constantly needing plot clarification from her mother) but both my 47 year old husband & my 32 year old self were enchanted! In this jaded day & age it was a relief to see a movie that had romance without overt sexuality, a PLOT , and true emotion without sentimentality. And where did they find these child actors? Luke Spill, Joe Prospero, Nick Roud and especially Freddie Highmore were excellent. Rarely have I seen children perform on screen so realistically and charmingly. I'm sure they'll all have brilliant futures if they chose to stay in the business.

I would say something here about Johnny Depp but what is there to say? Besides, I'm biased- I've never seen a Johnny Depp movie I didn't like, & I'm sure I've seen every one! Julie Christie was a powerhouse playing a difficult character in the most likable way.

Don't let this movie slip under your radar! Finding Neverland will warm your heart without your having to turn off your brain. By the way, if you have a soul, take some tissues to use at the movies end.