Johnny Depp shines in this film interpretation of events during seven years in the life of J.M. Barrie, the Scottish playwright who created Peter Pan.  The venue is 1903 London and a preface to the story states that it is 'inspired by real events'.  The significant events and actions in the film are true to Barrie's life.  He wrote novels and he wrote plays, which typically idealized childhood and presented a disenchanted view of adult life.  The motivation for the artistic direction in his life was an attempt to compensate for the tragic loss of his older brother when Barrie was only 6-years-old. 

Peter Pan, the boy who refused to grow up, was first produced in 1904 for the London stage.  It launched his career.  Much later, Barrie was made a baronet in 1910 and went on to become president of the Society of Authors, 1928, and chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, 1930.  He died in 1937 at the age of 77.

Set during a period when marital relationships were structured and quite formal, the plot encompasses both the development of Barrie's artistic process as well as its impact on his personal relationships.  The majority of the storyline focuses on the creation of Peter Pan and is compressed into the period 1903-1904 although the real events depicted took place from 1897-1910.

I consider this an example of professional American film acting at its best.  Johnny Depp plays Barrie and he brings the whimsical style to the screen that he first demonstrated in Edward Scissorhands (1990) and Pirates of the Caribbean (2003).  His character shows us the reserve, the intensity and the genius of Barrie.  Kate Winslet plays Sylvia, the widowed mother of four boys.  Her performance was a different kind of character, but every bit as good as Depp's.  There was also strong support acting from Julie Christie as Sylvia's mother and Dustin Hoffman as Depp's producer as well as Radha Mitchell as Barrie's wife, Mary. 

The creative process depicted in the film is a metaphor for artistry.  It shows us the depth of feeling, the perceptiveness required and the state of satori that the artist enters.  And it also shows us the separation that an artist can choose from normal life and relationships.  The storyline is also heavy drama without being soapy.  It's a film appropriate for all ages with the help of an adult to explain the complexities.

Depp is scheduled in two more films, which are sequels to Pirates of the Caribbean: one in 2006 and one in 2007.

Reviewed March 24, 2005

MPAA: Rated PG for mild thematic elements and brief language.