| Overall Grade: |
A+ |
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| Story: |
A+ |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A+ |
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| Visuals: |
A+ |
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"Finding Neverland" best of 2004
by T (movies profile)
Apr 4, 2007
37
of
38 people found this review helpful
This is the best film of 2004. Other films come close to what this film has achieved but it still rules as the best of the year. The perfect story, director and cast will cement this film among the best for years to come.
The story is about J. M. Barrie, the playwright who penned "Peter Pan." It shows the life of Barrie and how his vivid imagination came to life in the story of a boy who never wanted to grow up. Early in the story, Barrie befriends the Davies family after meeting the four children and mother in the park. He uses his experience with the children to formulate Neverland and the story of Peter in his mind. The entire story shifts perfectly between reality and imagination, showing the mind of Barrie and how he saw the world. It is a story about growing up and also about staying young at the very heart of it.
The cast is brilliant. Johnny Depp is once again amazing in taking on a character and making it real. He plays Barrie with so much subtlety and wit. This is one of his best roles to date. Kate Winslet has grown into her range of acting. She has a perfect emotional edge that looks beautiful on screen. Freddie Highmore plays the young Peter Davies. He is wonderful at staying up with the performance of Depp and adds so much to the film. The rest of the children and the supporting cast fit in so nicely and complete the perfect casting.
Marc Forster's direction is inspired and careful. His directorial hand is clearly seen with the beauty of every shot and every line that is uttered. He took a story and made it into a perfect fantasy, still maintaining credibility and imagination.
The filming and musical score are beautiful. The cinematography perfectly captures an imagination and flows through the film seamlessly. The score is filled with rich music that does not overshadow the film but adds to the sense of surrealism and imaginary worlds. It also ties the emotional aspects of the film together with such grace. The music is wonderful.
This film really was so well done. I love the story of Peter Pan and this film takes that feeling and sends it to a whole new level. Depp deserves accolades for his great performance, as does Winslet and Highmore. Wonderful just cannot describe the experience that is watching this film. From start to finish it is what theater going is all about. I was entertained, moved and thoroughly taken into the imagination of Barrie and the director. Worth every nomination and award it will receive.
I loved this film. |
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