Cady's Take:

Finding Neverland was inspired by the life of playwright James Barrie (Johnny Depp), the man who created Peter Pan. One day, James heads to the park looking for inspiration, and finds it in the form of four little boys and their widowed mother, Sylvia (Kate Winslet). Eager to write a hit play, Barrie befriends the boys, plays with them during the days, and in the evenings spills his experience onto the page.

The film jumps back and forth from Barrie 's colorful imagination to the events happening around him. Some of the best scenes occur between Depp and young actor Freddie Highmore, who plays Peter. There's a strong chemistry between these two, and I can't wait to see them together again in the upcoming Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

"Finding Neverland" has taken some liberties with the facts. Many of the elements of the real story have been distorted, changed, deleted or compressed, though most of them justifiably so. In the film Peter seems to be thrilled with the fact that Peter Pan's character was based on him, though years after Barrie died, the 63-year-old Peter threw himself under a train, having long hated his connection with his namesake.

Nonetheless, This film is a thoroughly enjoyable drama that is both heart breaking and uplifting. The whole picture is beautifully rendered and Depp is as terrific as always.

"Finding Neverland" is the fairy tale behind the fairy tale, at least in presentation. Based on true events, this is the story of how J.M. Barrie, played by Johnny Depp, created the fictional world of Neverland and the character Peter Pan. The first thing that pulled me into this movie was the cinematography. This movie has a lot of charm and humor, but it also has a very elegant feel, and it is not just the British accents. The scenery and the costume are wonderful, and reinforced my love for period pieces.

Barrie is a famous playwright who finds his muse in the Davies family - their mother, Sylvia (a du Maurier I came to find out, of the famous du Maurier family, including Daphne who wrote my favorite novel, "Rebecca") played by Kate Winslet, and Sylvia's four young boys. A widow, Sylvia meets Barrie in the park one afternoon and becomes enchanted with them, and the story of Pan unfolds accordingly.

I believe that it might be impossible for Johnny Depp to misstep these days. He has a knack for choosing roles that are simply right, and he plays them with an assurance that is in no way conceited or over-the-top. To not see a movie starring Johnny Depp these days is to miss out on something special. An actor at work, not a star in a career vehicle, and the quality of the finished product speaks for itself.