Review – Finding Neverland

Here we have the “inspired by true events” version of the creation of Peter Pan. Apparently J.M. Barrie based his most popular work on the children of a woman he befriended. The kids lost their father to some ailment or another, and now Mom has the consumption. Fortunately Barrie is able to step into their lives – and out of his own loveless marriage and recent theatrical flop. He brings the kids a heart-warming sense of play and wonder, something particularly desperately needed by middle child Peter. That’s the movie in a nutshell; the rest is mostly soap-opera twists and turns. Johnny Depp does a good job as Barrie, and Kate Winslett is adequate as the love interest. There’s nothing wrong with this production aside from the fact that – as one might expect – it’s somewhat depressing. On the other hand, Barrie’s life apparently doesn’t make anywhere near as good a movie as his famous tale. Mildly amusing