A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Finding Neverland

Date Viewed: 11/20/04

Details:

Johnny Depp

Kate Winslet

Julie Christie

Radha Mitchell

Dustin Hoffman

Director: Marc Forster

Score: +

The Review: A dramatic period piece about (Sir-to-be) James Barrie and the writing of "Peter Pan," with an in-depth study of two relationships: between Barrie (Depp) and his wife Mary (Mitchell), and between Barrie and the Llewelyn Davies family, particularly their mother Sylvia (Winslet). This is a clear exposition on the creative muses, just as it is an indictment of a slowly failing marriage. Quite compelling and interesting, with some excellent cinematography.

Depp is maturing as an actor; he sinks deeply into each role (in the spirit of Dustin Hoffman) and becomes that character completely. The accent, the mannerisms, the tenor of the times -- excellent! It's hard to imagine this is the same person who played Keith Richards in Pirates of the Caribbean.

In a synchronicity of imagery, the alluring Radha Mitchell reminds me of a young Julie Christie, the fragile Lara from Dr. Zhivago.

(12-Dec-04)

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