Opened: October 29, 2004

Directed by: Marc Foster

Starring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Dustin Hoffman, Julie Christie, Radha Mitchell, Freddie Highmore, Nick Roud, Joe Prospero, Luke Spill, Ian Hart, Oliver Fox, Mackenzie Crook, Kelly Macdonald, Angus Barnett, Toby Jones, Kate Maberly, Matt Green, Catrin Rhys, Tim Potter, Jane Booker, Eileen Essell, Jimmy Gardner, Paul Whitehouse & Murray McArthur

Though it takes liberties on its true story, Finding Neverland is a magical film about the creation of Peter Pan that will both warm and break your heart.

Playwright J. M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) meets Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet) and her four boys – George (Nick Roud), Jack (Joe Prospero), Peter (Freddie Highmore) and Michael (Luke Spill) – and their play adventures leads him to writing Peter Pan.

Depp is fantastic as Barrie. He has a playfulness that allows him to mesh well with the child actors but can return to the seriousness when it comes to Sylvia’s illness. Highmore steals the show with his mature acting abilities.

In ways, this story is more inspiring than Pan. It shows embracing your inner child – regardless of age – when life is at its darkest.

Final say: You’ll clap for more than Tinker Bell. ★★★★★