Finding Neverland (2004)

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

Director:

Marc Forster

Writers:

Allan Knee (play), David Magee (screenplay)

Stars:

Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie

Won 1 Oscar. Another 17 wins & 56 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

The movie details the experiences of "Peter Pan" author J.M. Barrie, which lead him to write the children's classic. He got to know four children who have no father. Drawing from his time with the kids, he writes a story about children who don't want to grow up.

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Plot Keywords:

boy | inspiration | widow | time | friendship | 

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Taglines:

Where will your imagination take you?

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild thematic elements and brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Miramax [us] Official Facebook

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 November 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

J.M. Barrie's Neverland

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$49,202 (Finland) (4 March 2005)

Gross:

$51,676,606 (USA) (22 April 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax Films, FilmColony

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min 101 min (DVD) (Encore print)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When J.M. Barrie and the Llewelyn Davies family are traveling by buggy to Mary Ansell Barrie's (James's wife) cottage, a flock of sheep stops in front of the buggy and it is forced to stop. This is included in the film because the buggy is an original from the late 1800s and is not able to properly run. To make it go, it is pushed over the hill. To cover for it stopping suddenly at the base of the hill, director Marc Forster decided to have the sheep block the road.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

Last credit to appear at end credits: For Milo...

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Connections

Referenced in The Benchwarmers (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Medieval and Renaissance Fanfare No. 7"
Composed by David Marshall (PRS)
Published by Studio G Ltd (PRS)
Courtesy of Promusic

User Reviews

Now that we're past the hype... don't miss this movie!

Every holiday season Harvey Weinstein and Miramax talk up one of their properties, fully expecting everyone to bow and throw awards at it as soon as it's released. This year it's Finding Neverland, which has produced a lot of buzz in favor of Johnny Depp's sophisticated performance. Although the film deserves all the praise it gets, it is understandable that moviegoers are a little weary with another dramatic period piece, with another "oscar caliber" cast, about yet another take on Peter Pan.

The bottom line is, this movie is phenomenal. Exploring the major theme of Barrie's play (that of a boy who never grows up), Finding Neverland refrains from condemning grown-ups, but exalts the wild magic one can enjoy as a kid. For James, who had to deal with his family's reticence upon the death of his brother, the real tragedy occurs when a child is forced to grow up too fast.

My favorite idea from this film is this: life finds a way to put into our lives the people we're supposed to be living our lives with. James and Sylvia needed each other, and they needed each other at that particular time. Life took care of them.

The film does indeed move at a snail's pace. Consider that part of the set design. Just as the characters go about 1905 London in top hats and buttoned-down gowns, so does the movie develop in a manner which would have been fitting for a time which preceded MTV-generation attention spans by about a hundred years.

As for the acting, it is wonderful. Depp is understated and gallant, Kate Winslet is lovely and tragic, and they're both better than I've ever seen them. Julie Christie is brutally ominous as the matriarch who can gum up everyone's happiness. Dustin Hoffman, although out of place, brings a dry wit as a risk-taking businessman. The boys playing the Davis kids are a lot of fun to watch and play their dramatic parts perfectly.

If you want something where all the pieces of the magic puzzle that is movie-making come together with grace, charm, and humanity, you won't find a more rewarding film than this.