Into the Rabbit Hole

Movie of the week: “Finding Neverland”

By Clemens Matuschek You do not necessarily have to believe touches the edge of cheesiness but some- in fairies to be able to like, even love times crosses it. When depicting chil- “Finding Neverland”. But it certainly dren’s fantasies, Hollywood, it seems, will help, since the film involves belief cannot be kept from overblowing it. And in fantasy and imagination – it is, after the screen has had enough precocious all, about the genesis of the play “Peter children. Pan.” Still, director Marc Foster succeeds in The screenplay by David Magee deeply moving this spectator by express- (based on the 1998 play, “The Man who ing subtle feelings through charming pic- was Peter Pan” by Allan Knee) is set in tures. He often cross-fades from the real Edwardian London of 1903, one year world to the imagined one (shared by before the actual premiere of “Peter Barrie and the children), transforms the Pan”. Playwright Sir J.M. Barrie (Johnny Davies’ garden into Neverland’s jungle, Depp) has just suffered a flop and strug- or the porch into a pirate ship. gles for inspiration. He encounters an In one of the most symbolic scenes, odd muse: the widow Sylvia Llewelyn both Barrie and his wife open the doors Davies (Kate Winslet) and her four boys, of their single, separate bedrooms. But who give him the idea of re-discovering whereas hers leads into the darkness of his childhood by writing “Peter Pan”. an ordinary chamber, his swings wide Toward the story’s ending, the young- open to reveal an idyllic, beautiful land- est boy, Peter, who not only gives his scape. At this point, one is willing to fol- name to the new play’s main character low Barrie into the Rabbit Hole to find but has a special relation to Barrie, puts Neverland. the obvious into words: Sir Barrie never The excellent actors greatly contribute really grew up himself, he is Peter Pan. to this appeal, primarily Johnny Depp. Alas, like Peter Pan and his creator, You might very well find Neverland in the screenplay itself does not want to his dreamy brown eyes, underlined by a grow up, but carefully avoids dealing distinctive Scottish accent – in one word, with major issues. The possible fact that the perfect movie Barrie. Barrie’s relation to a beautiful widow It is doubtful whether director Foster’s might exceed a stage of friendliness is Barrie can compete with the line-up of just as briefly touched as the accusation illustrious heroes populating this year’s of pedophilia that the historic Barrie had movie screens – Howard Hughes, Ray to face. Presuming that imagination is a Charles – in the upcoming Academy cure for poverty – in this case, the Da- Awards. But beyond that, “Finding vies family’s – is charming, but it is also Neverland” will find its place in the naïve. hearts, memories, and DVD collections Similar to the play “Peter Pan” itself of literature enthusiasts, romantic cou- and its most popular picturization ples, Anglophiles, and the young and the “Hook”, “Finding Neverland” not only young at heart. That’s reward in itself.

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