Neverwas (2005)

A psychiatrist searches for insight into the life of his father, who was an acclaimed children's author. But he is shocked when his journey leads him to believe that the fantasy-land his father wrote about might actually exist.

Director:

Joshua Michael Stern

Writer:

Joshua Michael Stern

Stars:

Aaron Eckhart, Ian McKellen, Brittany Murphy

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Aaron Eckhart	...	Zach Riley
Ian McKellen	...	Gabriel Finch
Brittany Murphy	...	Maggie Paige
Nick Nolte	...	T.L. Pierson
Jessica Lange	...	Katherine Pierson
William Hurt	...	Dr. Peter Reed
Bill Bellamy	...	Martin Sands
Alan Cumming	...	Jake
Vera Farmiga	...	Eleanna
Michael Moriarty	...	Dick
Ken Roberts	...	Terrence
Cynthia Stevenson	...	Sally
Lorena Gale	...	Judy
Tabitha St. Germain	...	Receptionist
Tim Henry	...	Husky Sheriff

Storyline

A well-educated psychiatrist leaves an academic career to work at an institution where his father, a novelist, lived before writing a renowned children's book. Acclimating to his position, he encounters a schizophrenic who helps him to discover the book's secrets and his place in the story.

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Plot Keywords:

cabin in the woods | book | secret | novelist | psychiatrist | 

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Taglines:

Every fairy tale needs its hero.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic issues

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sir Ian McKellen and Alan Cumming appeared in X2: X-Men United (2003) and Eighteen (2005).

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Goofs

The dream sequence in the beginning shows the young Zachary with huge brown eyes - the adult Zachary has blue eyes.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Gabriel Finch: [narrating] For those of you who do not know, this is how it began. Zachary Small was an ordinary little boy. He lived with his ordinary father in an ordinary house in an ordinary town. What Zachary did not know - could not know - was just how unordinary he was. I had heard the stories of young Zachary and his fearlessness. I had seen with my own eyes his selfless acts of bravery and courage. And I knew deep in my heart that he would return to rescue me when I was imprisoned in the ...

User Reviews

Magical.

I don't know where eabrownfield (reviewer) gets off telling people to "stay away" from Neverwas. This is a magical, and very touching story.

An excellent premise with a superb cast and stellar performances from all involved. The scenic settings were well shot and lit, often showing the differences between the dark and lighter sides of life.

I say dark, yes there are parts in this film that are hard hitting, poinient moments that really make you think and get you inside the characters being played, again i think this is down to the great acting.

The flip side is the fairy tale narrative that runs through the whole film, not that it turns in to a children's film at all, as its a story I'm sure many can relate to and will enjoy being told in this fashion. I will say it probably deserves its pg13 rating, its perhaps not for the very young, despite its fairy tale like appearance.

Overall go and see this film, you wont be disappointed, i had a great time.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 August 2006 (Bulgaria)

Also Known As:

Neverwas

Filming Locations:

Nelson, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,246

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kingsgate Films, Legacy Filmworks, Neverwas Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1