SummaryA tale of magic and fantasy inspired by the life of James Barrie, the real-life author of the children's classic Peter Pan. (Miramax)
Directed By:Marc Forster
Written By:Allan Knee, David Magee
Finding Neverland
Metascore
Generally Favorable
67
User score
Generally Favorable
7.6
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
67
71% Positive
27 Reviews
27 Reviews
29% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
Depp and Winslet in particular are, as you might expect, immaculate. I don't think there's another actor alive who can convey the intermingling of gentleness and passion with as much precision as Depp.
88
It's an intellectual family film for literate parents and children, immensely pleasing if not perfect, perhaps a smidgen too brightly evasive and determinedly charming.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.6
80% Positive
122 Ratings
122 Ratings
18% Mixed
27 Ratings
27 Ratings
2% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
Apr 2, 2023
10
A wonderfully imaginative and moving film with a fascinating story and acting.
First of all, the acting. Johnny Depp has proven his acting chops in films such as Edward Scissorhands, and his delightful but sometimes serious character makes the film enjoyable but with more depth. Also, Freddie Highmore's performance is excellent. For such a young man, he plays the character with a great understanding of his character's feelings. An unstable child with a closed mind is a difficult role to play, but he made those of us watching him look amazing. Also, the story is very simple but profound. While there are dreams and joy in this fascinating story, it is also about death and loss, as is typical of director Mark Foster. Still, by using our imagination (such as believing in fairies), despair can turn into hope. It is a wonderful masterpiece of a film that delights in entertaining us.
Apr 17, 2022
10
Of course it takes liberties with the truth, not the first biographical drama to do that, but I cannot deny that Finding Neverland was very magical and affecting and was beautifully crafted not only in visuals but in acting too. Plus it made me believe in Peter Pan again, and that is a wonderful feeling as Peter Pan is one of my all-time favourite stories. The cinematography, costumes, locations and scenery are absolutely stunning, and the score gives the film its magical feeling. The script had its deft touches, the story had a perfect balance of the humorous and the tragic, and director Marc Forster deserves credit for making even those mundane events into something somewhat enchanting. The acting is wonderful too- Johnny Depp is nothing short of magnificent as JM Barrie as he alternates between being playful and sensitive, it was his sensitive side especially that made his performance so good. Kate Winslet is very tender as Sylvia and Dustin Hoffmann impresses in a smaller role. Even the kids were good, especially Freddie Highmore who offers a wonderful portrayal as the serious-minded Peter. In conclusion, beautiful film, very affecting when it needed to be and quite magical to say the least. 10/10 Bethany Cox
80
Mingling reality and fantasy, Forster has given us a luminous, touching meditation on life and art.
75
Depp portrays a fellow who is openly gentle to the core, and the actor just about wraps the movie around his lilting delivery and quiescent gaze.
63
It's a portrait of the artist as Mary Poppins.
50
Takes liberties with its hero, which is hardly a crime (the real-life Barrie was extremely childlike), but the movie chases after magic with overproduced fantasy sequences, and a feel-good, literalist climax that betrays the very notion of imagination as a force superior to reality.
40
Finding Neverland takes a big, brave leap and lands splat on the sidewalk.
Jun 30, 2017
9
Pure joy. Solid, touching story and one of Depps top 3 performances ever, more low key and subtle compared to his wacky pirate. The soundtrack is a 10. Still listens to it.
Nov 21, 2015
9
Finding Neverland is an absolutely brilliant film. Rarely does a film move me to tears, but this one absolutely succeeded. Packed to the brim with magic, imagination, fun, and a childlike wonder, this film inspires hope and belief, all while tearing you down emotionally. I know it may not be as historically accurate as some would hope, but this is what a biopic should be. It covers the relevant topics and still touches you in a way only fiction can, a truly challenging task for most biopics. Johnny Depp is fantastic here, as are Kate Winslet and all of the young Davies boys. The film's magic and sense of wonder it inspires never really ceases, but certainly extends to the overall message of the film that captures the essence of Peter Pan as well; just believe. The film's cinematography is great, especially the final sequence with Sylvia and the score is also very well done. Finally, the plays within a film that get put on throughout the film are fantastic and brilliantly done, capturing that same imagination and suspension of reality. Finding Neverland is a truly wondrous work.
Apr 23, 2021
6
The performances of Depp & Winslet are fine but a good movie gets lost in it's overly sweet and soppy screenplay.
May 7, 2018
6
i love opening night.. Finding Neverland The feature endorses innocence in each frame, characters and emotion that is drawn out from genuinely moving writing and performance. The screenplay by David Magee may not be gripping or intriguing enough to invest in it but it surely is effective and has a soul in it. Marc Forster fails to create the anticipated impact that was already present in the script and misses a big window there. The feature scores majestically on performance where every supporting actor (Kate Winslet, Dustin Hoffman and the young cast) factors in, with equal input among the protagonist i.e. Johnny Depp. Finding Neverland has stellar performance, amazing background score and fine editing that favors on its side but lacks better execution and the crisp that everyone awaits throughout the course of it.
Aug 28, 2014
6
A unique combination of fantasy and reality, Johnny Depp is gloriously entertaining as J.M. Barrie. Finding Neverland is not simply for fans of J.M. Barrie or his most beloved work, Peter Pan.
Production Company:
- Miramax
- FilmColony
- Keylight Productions
Release Date:Nov 12, 2004
Duration:1 h 46 m
Rating:PG
Tagline:Unlock your imagination.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 7 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 5 Nominations
BAFTA Awards
• 11 Nominations
