Finding Neverland

Name: Finding Neverland
Genre: Biography, Drama, Family
Released: November 12, 2004
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Johnny Depp, Julie Christie, Kate Winslet

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 161 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 161 Ratings

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Finding Neverland

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: November 12, 2004 | PG

Starring: Johnny Depp, Julie Christie, Kate Winslet

Summary: A tale of magic and fantasy inspired by the life of James Barrie, the real-life author of the children's classic Peter Pan. (Miramax)

Director: Marc Forster

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 106 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Lou Lumenick

Pure magic. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

It's an intellectual family film for literate parents and children, immensely pleasing if not perfect, perhaps a smidgen too brightly evasive and determinedly charming. Read full review

David Ansen

Mingling reality and fantasy, Forster has given us a luminous, touching meditation on life and art. Read full review

Rick Groen

Because it's a well-crafted and superbly acted sweet little tearjerker, we're content too -- it's a mild pleasure to watch. Read full review

Dallas Observer Gregory Weinkauf

We have a whole new reason to appreciate cinema's most creative chameleon (Depp) since Peter Sellers. The film itself is pretty and sweet but a tad soggy. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

It just doesn't have the buoyancy, or the resonance, that this kind of semifactual flight of fancy needs. Read full review

Stanley Kauffmann

Dismal and heavy, and the failure rests chiefly with Johnny Depp, who plays Barrie. Read full review

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User Reviews

LaraS.

Mar 7, 2007

So magical and moving. Can't help but want to hug every character!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Sam

Apr 12, 2006

After some fun takes on the story of Peter Pan, I've always wondered who the man was that started the epic tale, and if the life of the man was a movie, would it be any good. Ladies and Gentlemen, Finding Neverland has finally ended my craving for that movie, with (in my opinion) After some fun takes on the story of Peter Pan, I've always wondered who the man was that started the epic tale, and if the life of the man was a movie, would it be any good. Ladies and Gentlemen, Finding Neverland has finally ended my craving for that movie, with (in my opinion) 2004's best picture.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Mr-Liberal-LDS

Feb 2, 2013

A heart-warming and charming film about the story behind the inspiration for Peter Pan, and on the value of tenaciously being true to yourself, enjoying the authentic relationships that that renders, and making this life worth living for the brief time that we have it. I think it tactfullyA heart-warming and charming film about the story behind the inspiration for Peter Pan, and on the value of tenaciously being true to yourself, enjoying the authentic relationships that that renders, and making this life worth living for the brief time that we have it. I think it tactfully teaches that marriage is to be taken seriously before one enters into the contract, and I think that that is an important message for our modern world. While the movie is child appropriate it isn’t especially child friendly, unless they are precocious I think that they may very well bore of it; the movie is really more for adults. If the kids are interested however they are certainly welcome. I have no complaints about this film. Dramas aren’t my first preference when it comes to entertainment, but if you like dramas I have to imagine you will love Finding Neverland. Clean nostalgia evoking thought provoking heartfelt fun.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

BarryR.

Dec 25, 2004

?Finding Neverland? is not the story of the DA in Santa Barbara and his quest for evidence against the County?s most famous resident. No, it is the story of another celebrity?.i.e. James Barrie, a portion of his life and those that played such an integral and important part in it. It is the ?Finding Neverland? is not the story of the DA in Santa Barbara and his quest for evidence against the County?s most famous resident. No, it is the story of another celebrity?.i.e. James Barrie, a portion of his life and those that played such an integral and important part in it. It is the story of the writer?s role in creating, seeing and perhaps even being Peter Pan. One of the great children?s stories of all time is perhaps more a reflection and statement about the life of Mr. Barrie than the fictional character in the property. This is truly a ,quality movie. The writing, acting and directing are excellent. Johnny Depp is marvelous in his role as James Barrie. He gives an understated and meaningful portrayal matched by the quality work by Kate Winslett. Of course, the coups de gras and best performance, in my opinion, is given by the young boy named ?Peter? about whom much of the Pan character was based. It is very difficult to direct young children but as with everything, the greater the risk, the greater the reward?..so, too, when the directing of the child brings about a memorable and gut wrenching result , the accolades go to where they belong. Marc Forster does a really fine job of directing and, coupled with a great screenplay and wonderful acting, the movie gets and deserves an 8 with a strong >recommendation to go and see it. Dustin Hoffman, for nostalgic reasons I believe (he played Capt. Hook in "Hook"), is in the picture but his scenes are so short and inconsequential that you realize he?s there because, well, as Peter says, ?you have to believe?. Have fun and learn what really was behind the creation and writing of ?Peter Pan?. As Wendy would say, ?wiggle your shoulders and fly to the movie?. … Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Compi24

Mar 27, 2016

As imaginative and endearing as it is, there is a certain safe quality to "Finding Neverland's" stamp on the Oscar-bait/biopic sub-genre. Still, one can't help but be charmed by the brilliant imagery and lasting thematic messages spun about by the film's brilliant cast members. Without aAs imaginative and endearing as it is, there is a certain safe quality to "Finding Neverland's" stamp on the Oscar-bait/biopic sub-genre. Still, one can't help but be charmed by the brilliant imagery and lasting thematic messages spun about by the film's brilliant cast members. Without a doubt, "Finding Neverland" is a triumphant love letter to the lasting power of creativity and that warm feeling of knowing what it truly means to be a kid.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

geewah

Apr 23, 2021

The performances of Depp & Winslet are fine but a good movie gets lost in it's overly sweet and soppy screenplay.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Alex

Nov 19, 2005

Manipulative tripe.

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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