Finding Neverland
User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 145 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 132 out of 145
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 145
  3. Negative: 7 out of 145

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  1. NS
    Feb 7, 2005
    8
    This was a very heartwarming story. I never actually sat down and watched Peter Pan the movie, but you didn't have to know that movie or story too much to have liked this movie. Johnny Depp is great and it just seems the older he gets, the better he gets as an actor. Kate Winslet pulls an average performance though, as I didn't see what she did that any other actress couldn';t have done. Overall, I knocked 2 points off because 1, there wasn't a great lead actress, and 2, the movie could have shown more scenes that were full of color and imagination. Neverland was a very short scene.… Expand
  2. ronaldm.
    May 6, 2005
    9
    Very special movie.
  3. AlexA.
    Jan 31, 2005
    9
    This movie was very well done, Exceptional. great dialogue and plot and never once felt dull or tired. A very refreshing movie, in particular Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet.
  4. Jay&RogerM.
    Jan 8, 2005
    9
    We were moved by the way the director conveyed the prevalence and impact of death on the lives of children in the early 20th century and how Barrie helped them handle tragedy through creating a fantasy world. The terror of TB (consumption) was real in England and the US and certainly devastated families. The performances were understated for a change and none of the ensemble drew attention to themselves. The way social control and scandal affected lives esp. simple souls like Barrie was handled without preaching. Depp only increases in our admiration each time we see him.… Expand
  5. Ricardoc
    Feb 13, 2005
    9
    It is a touching movie, sad but full of hope. The young Freddie Highmore as Peter Pan is marvelous!
  6. shamimaa.
    Mar 10, 2005
    9
    Trully inspired- depp and the rest of the cast give outstanding performances - remarkable story line - making every1 realise there lies a child within and theres many ways one can bring happiness to the lives of others.
  7. ChrisR.
    May 7, 2005
    8
    Finding Neverland stars Johnny Depp as James Barrie, the famous Scottish playwright who struggles not only with a failed marriage but whose recent plays have been panned by the critics and have died quickly as financial failures. Against this background, he has a chance meeting in a park with four boys, the sons of recently widowed Sylvia Davies (Kate Winslet). The movie explores the friendship and loving relationship that develops between the Davies boys, Sylvia and Barrie. People talk about the "unhealthy" interest Barrie has with the children but Barrie finds in the boys the inspiration for his play, Peter Pan -- and, like Peter, it appears that Barrie just doesn't want to grow up but would prefer to live in Neverland, a place, he explains to Sylvia, where the young person in each of us goes the moment we step over the threshold of adulthood. Depp and Winslet give wonderful performances but their Scottish accents and the tendency of all of the actors to drop their voices at the end of nearly every sentence sometimes made it difficult for me to follow what was being said. I kept wanting to reach for the remote and turn up the volume. My wife and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed this movie; I give it an 8.00.… Expand
  8. MelT.
    Dec 4, 2004
    10
    I loved this movie...It makes you love all of the peter pans as a whole that much more. Johny Depp was so adorable and Kate was so pretty....and the boys were so cute *little boys should never go to bed beaause they wake up a day older* that line was so cute!!!
  9. LauraH.
    Jan 15, 2005
    9
    This movie is deeply touching. It is almost felt rather than analyzed. The acting of Johhny Depp and the boy who played Peter is profound. Johnny totally captivates the gentle, playful spirit of a man who is still very much a boy at heart. He is able to convey with a look, the very depths of his feelings, both joyful and sorrowful. All that he is lingers behind those deep dark sensitive eyes. It is good to be reminded that we did not arrive on this earth wearing adult faces and weary stares. We were meant for so much more! To laugh and love and live for whatever amount of time we are given. We must not hold back if we are to find the satisfaction that life holds.… Expand
  10. ClintM.
    Jan 18, 2005
    9
    If I had to describe the movie in one word it would be "touching". I was truly touched by all of the performances, by the story, the music, the imagery; everything! I don't know what it is about Kate Winslet but more than once now she's broken my heart with her truly amamzing and real performances. She's an actress worth every penny she's paid. Johnny Depp brings such heart to the movie that you can't help but cheer him on in his pursuit of magic and imagination, even with everyone else seems to be against him. And then there's those big blue eyes, welled up with tears, that CRUSHED me! Freddie Highmore as young Peter brings such reality to his role. You know that this is exactly how you would have felt under such hard and confusing circumstances when you were his age. He will bring tears to your eyes and the movie will leave you thankful for good actors!… Expand
  11. DebC.
    Jan 27, 2005
    10
    I have seen this movie three times so far and can't wait for the DVD to come out. Johnny Depp is captivating in this role and conveys more with his eyes and facial expressions than a thousand words could. Whenever I have a bad day, I want to see this movie. It puts me back in touch with my inner child.
  12. mickt
    Jan 28, 2005
    10
    Brilliant, in a word. acting and directing top notch. note: barrie was much more childlike than depicted in the movie.
  13. SteveP.
    Jan 3, 2005
    9
    A beautifully filmed and very inovative movie!
  14. DanaG
    Jan 9, 2005
    9
    Excellent movie. I wanted to take all of the little boys home with me, they were so adorable with those cute accents. Johnny Depp was great and Kate Winslet was also, surprisingly. It was a great story although it was semi-upsetting. Any movie that makes me cry is worth a good review.
  15. JacobW.
    Jan 9, 2005
    9
    A great movie for those who still believe in the power of art. Those disliking this movie either lack the intellectual capacity to appreciate the literary process or have constructed thick walls to protect themselves from piercing emotions. This movie gives you a taste of life's mystical balance between reality and fantasy without forcing it upon you. Individuals who disliked this movie should, for their own benefit, take a left at the movie theatre and see the next mindless computer-generated action adventure starring the Rock. For us others, see this movie and let yourself be taken to Neverland.… Expand
  16. BrianB
    Feb 1, 2005
    7
    A touching movie that's a little sadder than you'd think for something based around Peter Pan, but also one that goes deeper than you'd expect. Some fine performances, especially by the boys, starting with Freddie Highmore as Peter Pan.
  17. Mike
    Mar 23, 2005
    7
    When I rented the movie, I didnt know it was a true story and it caught me off guard. overall a very good movie.
  18. Thatcriticguy
    Mar 23, 2005
    9
    A beautiful film of where the imagination takes you with outstanding performances and a strong emotional feeling that will make you cry (only if "Titanic" made you cry).
  19. Lauren
    Apr 17, 2005
    5
    Nothing particularaly offends, but nothing enchants. Two hours of my life I wish I had spent doing something more enthralling.
  20. RobertB.
    Apr 3, 2005
    9
    Wonderful and charming. Nothing to fancy. Not designed for all the attention defecit head cases out there. All the characters were sound. The acting was superb. Once again, nothing overly dynamic. Just efficient performances. All of it led to a suprisingly emotional finish.
  21. ChelA.
    May 26, 2005
    9
    Extraordinary and heartbreak story ! Johnny Depp does a really fabulous acting and Freddie Highmore merits to be nominated for best supporting actor at the Oscars insted of Alan Alda from The Aviator. The academy award winning score is extraordinary. everything was so well made and sentimental that I almost cried. I only gave it 9 because of a part kind of Boring. (The first discussion of J. M. Barrie and her wife). If you didn't saw it, go rent it at Blockbuster or Netflix.… Expand
  22. TerryG.
    Nov 13, 2004
    9
    This film is magical. The fantasy elements were wonderfully done and Johnny Depp shines as the original 'boy who never grew up'.
  23. CameronS.
    Nov 21, 2004
    10
    Great movie! Very well Acted and done! the movie was very magical, touching and perfect! ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES OF THE YEAR!. My LIST for Best movies so far: The Incredibles, Finding Neverland, Ray, THe Passion, Collateral, the Polar Express.
  24. StevieG
    Nov 27, 2004
    9
    I am a movie snob. I truly enjoyed this film. It has a magical quality that makes it transcend the genre. Johnny Depp does a great job, as does the rest of the cast. I truly loved this film. Those of you who have abandoned the child within your soul will not get this movie. If you are in that category, avoid the film. If you still have a child in your soul, you will love and embrace this special film. peace steviegjd… Expand
  25. BitBurn
    Dec 1, 2004
    9
    Magical, Beautiful...Heart-felt!!
  26. BeccaF
    Dec 1, 2004
    6
    It was a bit sappy at some parts, but on a whole a great and touching movie.
  27. Angela
    Dec 2, 2004
    10
    This movie made me believe in neverland.
  28. MarcK.
    Dec 4, 2004
    8
    Warm and sweet. If this doesn't bring tears to your eyes in the movie theatre, I guarantee you'll hear a lot of sniffling going on by others watching it nearby you. I hate to make bold statements until I see every major film this year, but I think that Johnny Depp wins the Oscar with this performance.
  29. PatG.
    Dec 5, 2004
    9
    Loved this movie. I want to go again and again.
  30. JenkinsM.
    Dec 9, 2004
    3
    Agree with Larry that the film was slow out of the box. After that it never explained the Jekyl and Hyde personality of Johnny Depp with regard to his two families. He seemed to bask in the limelight of his adopted family but had no time for his wife. Why did he ever marry her then? The ending was pure Hollywood but yet the film never connects with its audience. Some may buy into the romantic notion but it was without any true feeling. Sorry but I did not like it.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Newsweek
    Reviewed by: David Ansen
    80
    Mingling reality and fantasy, Forster has given us a luminous, touching meditation on life and art.
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  2. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    88
    Glorious entertainment.
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  3. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    40
    Finding Neverland takes a big, brave leap and lands splat on the sidewalk.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »