Depp shines again in Finding Neverland

Finding Neverland

Director: Marc Forster

Cast: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Radha Mitchell, Dustin Hoffman, Julie Christie, Ian Hart

Cert: 12.

Once upon a time the Scottish writer JM Barrie (another wonderful performance from Depp) was struggling; his plays were unsuccessful.

His mentor (Hoffman) suggests he writes a more people-friendly story; and the timeless classic Peter Pan was born.

How Barrie came to write his adventures in Neverland is the theme of this well-constructed, thoughtful and utterly charming film.

Barrie met a widow (Winslet) and her young sons in a park and the rest is history.

The film has many strengths, not least the ability of Depp to play any character with a shining brilliance that sets him apart from his fellow-actors. This is a memorable performance from Depp, giving his character a dark and troubled edge. Other strengths come from director Forster's confidence in allowing the cast to get on with the story.

There has been some controversy surrounding the film in that the Barrie family deem it to have taken liberties with the truth. Whatever the truth of this, Finding Neverland is the sort of film which delights and moves us.

Star Rating: 5/5