Every time Johnny Depp delivers a new performance, I cannot help but wonder how long he will be able to keep up his mannerisms. They were fun ( and even required) in Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow; they were unique and even helped Depp get his Oscar nomination for Pirates of the Caribbean; they got annoying in films like The Ninth Gate, Chocolat and Secret Window. The thing is, Depp doesn’t need such methods; he is a good actor anyway. For the role of Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie, all it took was a Scottish accent, as far as I was concerned. And thank God, Depp restrains himself here, something that may actually lead to another Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Lead Role.

Finding Neverland opens with Barrie standing behind the curtains, before the premiere of his new play. The play turns out to be a disaster, but instead of falling into depression or writer’s block, Barrie keeps going. A very important stimulant is the widow Sylvia (Kate Winslet) and her four sons who Barrie meets in the park, during one of his many contemplative strolls. He really starts to care for the boys and they give him a large sense of satisfaction and inspiration, especially the quiet Peter. While Barrie begins to work on what later would become his magnus opus, there is opposition by his wife, Sylvia’s mother and his agent and financier (Dustin Hoffman), who doesn’t believe in the success of a children’s story.

Director Forster (Monster’s Ball), who is originally German and grew up in Switzerland, seems to know how to bring a biopic such as this one to the big screen. His directing is seamless and smooth, yet creative. With subtle digital and visual effects he brings the imagination of both the children and Barrie to life, shifting from real world to fantasy within scenes. This never feels forced and is in fact very effective to help understand where Barrie’s ideas came from.

Although one might debate about whether Forster puts the accents in the right places (the play and story of Peter Pan seems to emerge almost from nowhere and there is also much emphasis on Barrie’s marriage), as a viewer you are dragged in the story nearly instantly, without being drowned in it. Most kudos however, for Depp, who re-emphasizes his qualities as an actor. Peter Pan is, in more than one way, based on Barrie’s own personality and in order to make the part of Barrie convincing, qualities Peter Pan possesses, such as naivety, carelessness and modesty are essential. Depp senses this perfectly and uses all of these qualities to make Barrie a life-like and lovable character. Besides some of the children’s parts, most of the other acting is outstanding, especially Julie Christie’s performance as Sylvia’s mother (indirectly providing the inspiration for Captain Hook).

In short: one of the last films of 2004 you can’t afford to miss. Depp knows his job and sacrifices his ego in favor of depicting Peter Pan author J. M. Barrie in the most charming and modest way imaginable.

Directed by: Marc Forster
Starring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Dustin Hoffman, Julie Christie
Release dates: US: 24 November, UK: 29 October, The Netherlands: 9 December
Official Website