Movie: Finding Neverland (7 out of 10)

7 out of 10

I think that I may have initially under-rated Finding Neverland, and over time it might grow to a 7.50. BUT...it started both slow and a little too weird.

We weren't sure if we were going to like it in the first 20 to 30 minutes. I guess some of the beginning was necessary for the rest of the movie, but I think that it could have moved a little more smoothly as it was too disjointed (more so in the early part of the film). It seemed like some of the 'fantasy shots' felt forced...almost like, "Johnny Depp is in this movie, so we have to try to be a little more artsy & weird".

Movie synopsis found here.

Although the story, adapted from a play by Allan Knee, feels indulgent and oversimplified at times -- especially when it comes to the many fanciful (and wonderfully staged) illustrations of Barrie's "Peter Pan" plot ideas that spring from playing with the Davies boys -- "Neverland" makes up for any shortcomings with intricate, intimate performances from its exceptional cast.

As much as most of the drooling critics will want to focus the bulk of their praise on Johnny Depp, they would be making a big mistake to praise Depp over Kate Winslett.

Winslett may very well be the best actress of the current day. Of course I am not making this claim based solely on this performance. Winslett's strength is her versatility; she can pull anything off -- from an amazing performance in Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind to last year's singing/dancing/comedy on Saturday Night Live. She's just pretty enough to play an attractive female character if needed, but not too gorgeous to where she can't play any other character but a hot chic.

Winslett's range and versatility are rivaled by Natlie Portman and Nicole Kidman, and not many others. Now that I think about it...had Winslett been cast in Julia Roberts' role opposite Portman in Closer, I bet that movie would have been much better.

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