Hey All,
So I finally watched the movie "Finding Neverland" (2004),
starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, and all I could think was "why have I not
seen this sooner?".
starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, and all I could think was "why have I not
seen this sooner?".
This to you, may seem like an insignificant rant and review, however I want to stress the important message this movie portrays.The movie is based on the true story of how the story of "Peter Pan" came to be, although slightly altered. It is about a man, Sir James Matthew Barrie, played by Depp, an un-successful playwriter, looking for an idea worthy of presenting to his usual un-enthusiastic, and disapproving audience. While in the park one day, he comes across a widowed woman, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, played by Winslet, and her four playful children Peter, Michael, Jack and George. Barrie soon becomes enthralled and enchanted with this women and her children, ignoring his wife and his life with her. After many 'play dates' with the boys, he decides that they would be the imprint he needed on his play, and so creates the story of "Peter Pan". The things him and the boys do are utterly magical, and so shows when he finally finishes the play, the audience is speechless. The only one who didn't make the first show was Sylvia, whom they learn is sick, or has been sick all along, but ignores it till the bitter end when it is far too late. Not to worry, Barrie brings the play home to her. And there in the small space of her living room, the show goes on, and her, sitting there pale and lifeless, lives through her imagination and through their's to see Neverland, her Neverland, and so dies with that image in her mind. By the end, the boys are left orphans, but take shelter under Barrie's wing, he had so
much love for these boys he couldn't let them go, and he never did.
much love for these boys he couldn't let them go, and he never did.
So, important message?
Freedom, imagination, inspiration, being a kid, never growing up. I could go on. This movie brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me of the imagination I had as a kid. I built things out of blocks and play-doh, used barbies and dolls who I named and starred in little skits with other barbies and dolls. I jumped up and down on my bed because I wanted to fly. I built sandcastles in summer, and snowmen in winter. I danced to no music. I twirled around in my moms dresses and jewlery, that were way too big for me. I sang outloud and wasn't affraid of who was listening or how bad I may have sounded. I spashed in puddles, and watered the clouds instead of the flowers in the garden.
And now, here I am, at 20 years old, and I think to myself, "wow, what an imagination, such creativity I had". Question is, would we do those things now, or would we consider them as "childish"? I think most would say that it's childish. Me, I'm a different thinker. I'm not saying to go suck your thumbs, and wear diapers, and crawl on all fours. I'm saying that there is nothing wrong with acting like a kid. So go build a snowman, build a sandcastle, dance to no music, be a kid. There's nothing wrong with that. Like the message the movie portrays, we all know and remember the magical and whimsical imaginations we had as kids, and when we have kids some day, we will in theory re-live those moments with them, as we play, and run around, and participate in tea parties with them. There are no rules. In my opinion, little things like building a snowman is a cute activity you can do with a loved one, something silly. Have fun with it and create your own "Neverland", a place where you can be a kid, no rules, no boundaries, no one to say no. A place where you can leave the real world for a moment, and be a kid, re-living those memories you will never forget, and are always able to re-create.
And now, here I am, at 20 years old, and I think to myself, "wow, what an imagination, such creativity I had". Question is, would we do those things now, or would we consider them as "childish"? I think most would say that it's childish. Me, I'm a different thinker. I'm not saying to go suck your thumbs, and wear diapers, and crawl on all fours. I'm saying that there is nothing wrong with acting like a kid. So go build a snowman, build a sandcastle, dance to no music, be a kid. There's nothing wrong with that. Like the message the movie portrays, we all know and remember the magical and whimsical imaginations we had as kids, and when we have kids some day, we will in theory re-live those moments with them, as we play, and run around, and participate in tea parties with them. There are no rules. In my opinion, little things like building a snowman is a cute activity you can do with a loved one, something silly. Have fun with it and create your own "Neverland", a place where you can be a kid, no rules, no boundaries, no one to say no. A place where you can leave the real world for a moment, and be a kid, re-living those memories you will never forget, and are always able to re-create.
Night All.
