it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Wow ... A most exquisitely acted, directed and scored film. Highmore, Depp, and Winslet, as well as the boys who played George and Michael were all especially impressive. It gives a whole new understanding to the story of Peter Pan, Neverland, the Lost Boys, and Wendy. I didn't expect to be so moved by this film. Its beauty is profound. Absolutely stunning.

Continuing my plan to watch every Johnny Depp movie in order, I come to Finding Neverland.I love this movie, I cry at the end of it, what's more I am not ashamed. Depp is superb and deservedly got his second Oscar nomination, Kate Winslet does what Kate Winslet does, Julie Christie stands out as Winslet's strict, disapproving mother as Does Dustin Hoffman and Rhada Mitchell is fine as Depp's wife. They are all overshadowed by a young Freddie Highmore. He is simply heartbreaking and he has no problems keeping up with Depp, in fact he steals a scene or two from him (Depp was so impressed by him, he personally requested he play Charlie, in Charlie & The Chocolate Factory)Finding Neverland grossed $51 million at the domestic box office to end 2004 as the 61st highest grossing movie of the year.

How did this sneak under my radar?.. A wonderful film-ideally suited for a wet Sunday afternoon-warm and tender, but bitter-sweet, melancholic, and even bleak in places... A marvellous tour-de-force performance from Johnny Depp (he's never been better)-some might say he is a little young (the author/playwright was 44 years old when his play was first staged), but Barrie was an innocent, and always young-at-heart... Perhaps his trademark soup-strainer might have given Depp more gravitas... And with a wonderfully understated yet convincing Scottish accent as well (Hollywood, take note), Depp once again proves himself to be simply the best young leading man Hollywood has to offer-in fact, we're also treated to what I believe to be a prototype Jack Sparrow, as, although this was released after 'Pirates of the Caribbean', it was filmed before... He is ably supported by Kate Winslet, although I do think she could have worked harder on her diction, and a simply delicious turn from the delectable Julie Christie as the ogre-in-waiting, and the implied inspiration for the future Captain Hook.Much like when reading the book that Barrie wrote after his play's success, 'Wendy and Peter' (and even it's woeful sequel, 'Peter Pan in Scarlet'), this is a work best enjoyed by suspending one's disbelief. The film is punctuated by imaginary vignettes, which would eventually coalesce into the play 'Peter Pan, or, The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up'. It's a fascinating re-thinking of exactly how Barrie's Chef d'Oeuvre came to be, albeit with some tactical artistic interpretation of dates and facts (there were no 25 orphans attending the premiere, but it still raised a lump to my throat). The four brothers (Freddie Highmore, Joe Prospero, Nick Roud and Luke Spill) all excel-their delivery can be stilted at times, but Highmore, particularly, is a revelation. Dustin Hoffman, effectively in a cameo role as Barrie's American backer, Charles Frohman, breezes through his performance in true veteran style, never breaking sweat, but I felt the ensemble cast was rather let down by Radha Mitchell, playing Mary Ansell, Barrie's wife-no engagement there at all... The supporting cast is sprinkled with familiar faces, all clearly enjoying themselves, the set-dressing, costumes and attention to detail all superb ...So, altogether a magical film about a magical summer leading to the creation of a magical play (and book), which is still delighting audiences to this day. I was gladdened to read "with enormous gratitude to GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN" (who, of course, still own the rights), in the credits, and hope they benefited hugely from this film.Settle down with your children and grandchildren, a soothing drink, and a fire in the grate-for children from five to 95... Enjoy!..

Finding Neverland is a slight but charming film about the wonders of imagination in the stuffy Edwardian era England.Johnny Depp plays the softly spoken in a Scots accent, J M Barrie who has just come off a failed play.Barrie has a strained marriage but a chance meeting with a recent widow (Kate Winslet) and her four young boys inspires his imaginations and whimsy as he becomes involved in their lives causing further stress in his own marriage.The children inspires the story of Peter Pan as we go to and from reality and fantasy. However adults are always the sore point. Barrie's producer and financier (Dustin Hoffman) thinks little of this strange play with red Indians, fairy lights, an overgrown dog, a ticking crocodile and just thinks he will lose more money. Julie Christie as Winslet's frosty mother is wary of Barrie and think he is a disruptive influence.Marc Forster directs with aplomb and makes good use of visual trickery and gets enchanting and solid performances from his young actors such as Freddie Highmore.However it is a slight story, semi fictionalised and also wastes some of its actors. Dustin Hoffman who appeared in Steven Spielberg's Hook is wasted and just disappears from the film. Once Winslet falls ill you can guess where this is heading and gets a little too sentimental.The film is heightened by a restrained and gentle performance by Depp.