Day 76: Finding Neverland

J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) finds inspiration for ‘Peter Pan’ in a family of four young boys and their wonderful mother.

James helps Peter (Freddie Highmore) to become a child again, to not only think of how sad he is that his father died. But Peter is always expecting the worst and he can only pretend so far before it just becomes another lie for him. He has stories within him and James helps him to see the worth in writing them down and believing in them. The relationship between the two is great, I love James’ patience with him as he helps to rediscover his childhood.

Favourite bit of the film is when Sylvia (Kate Winslet) is too sick to go to the play, so James brings the play to her. It is so wonderful and just so sad. She gets to see the influence her children had on James and she knows their childhoods are forever immortalised within the story. And she gets to see Neverland for herself, as James promised she would.

Completely forgot just how sad this film is, bloody hell.

Peter:   It’s just… I thought she’d always be here.

James:  So did I but in fact, she is because she’s on every page of your imagination. You’ll always have her there. Always.

Peter:   But why did she have to die?

James:  I don’t know, boy. When I think of your mother I’ll always remember how happy she looked sitting in her parlour, watching a play about her family, about her boys that never grew up. She went to Neverland and you can visit her anytime you like, if you just go there yourself.

Peter:   How?

James:  By believing, Peter. Just believe.

8/10

Day 33: Benny and Joon

I forgot to say yesterday but for the whole of February I am watching the favourite films of 28 people that I asked/begged. I’m not watching them in any particular order (except for one birthday special) so it’s just a whatever-mood-I’m-in kind of thing.

So, we’re off to a bad start. I hate The Proclaimers and their stupid 500 miles. I hate it so much. But I didn’t let it affect my viewing (despite a loud “UGH” as soon as it started). Sadly it also ended on the song (my notes: “Fuck me it ends on it too”) but whatever, that was the only bad point of the entire film so I can look past it.

Benny (Aidan Quinn) has spent years forsaking his own life in order to look after his sister, Joon (Mary Stuart Masterston), who is mentally ill. She’s creative, likes her routine and doesn’t like stressful situations. Unfortunately she also doesn’t get along too well with the housekeepers and Benny finds himself in a difficult situation; should he try to find another housekeeper or should he put Joon in a group home? Luckily the decision isn’t up to him. They soon find their lives completely changed by the arrival of loveable eccentric Sam (Johnny Depp).

I’m usually not a fan of Johnny Depp but I loved this character right off the bat. As soon as I saw him in the tree I was immediately smitten. My favourite part about his character is that he sees past the mentally ill label and treats Joon like a person, quite unlike her brother. He sadly seems to be fixated on the fact she’s ‘sick’ rather than anything else. And, of course, Sam scales a building for her. I mean, how could I not love him? Their relationship is sweet and lovely and exactly what she seems to need. Too often those with mental health issues are reduced to a label and people forget that they want just as much as anybody else.

Really loved the film despite having not too much to say about it.

9/10