Finding Neverland

EFL Movie Study Guide for: Finding Neverland

Story: Set in London (1904), the story was inspired by Scottish author James Barrie’s creative journey to write the classic play Peter Pan. Tired of the same old themes, Barrie (Johnny Depp) gets inspiration from a relationship with four fatherless boys and their beautiful, recently widowed mother (Kate Winslet). The result is a touching tale that mixes imagination, everyday life, personal tragedy, genuine friendship, the childlike innocence of “the boy who never grows up,” and the miracles that can happen if you “really believe.” (2004; 1 Oscar; J Depp, K Winslet, Dustin Hoffman; Miramax Films; drama and a bit of history; PG; 100 minutes)

People and proper nouns:

Mr Charles Frohman – an American producer who pays for Mr. Barrie’s plays (he profits if they are successful, but loses money if they aren’t successful)

James (JM) Barrie – Scottish playwright (in a manner of speaking, in order to stay creative he has become like a “boy who never grows up”)

Mrs Barrie – James’ wife, a former actress

Porthos – the Barries’ big dog

Mr & Mrs Snow - faithful theater patrons and fans

Authur - a cricket teammate and close friend

Sylvia Llewelyn Davies – recently widowed (her husband died of cancer), and mother of George, Jack, Peter & Michael

Madam du Maurier - Sylvia’s mother, who doesn’t really like James (if Sylvia is frequently seen with a married man, other men will not want to marry Sylvia)

A few terms (vocabulary):

	Opening night – the first night a play or movie is shown to the public
	dungeon – another word for a jail, prison
	imagination – the creative part of your mind, and the ability to use that part to create stories, see fantastic places, pretend to be someone else, etc.
	critics – people who write newspaper articles about new plays, movies, etc., either praising them or saying that they are not worth seeing
	fairy – a small imaginary person with magic power and the ability to fly
	crocodile – a large reptile with strong jaws
	Peter Pan – Mr. Barrie says this character in his play represents “the irrepressible spirit of youth”
	rumors – things people say based on what someone else said, not necessarily based on the truth
	pirate – a feared sailor whose group steals from other ships on the ocean
	orphans – children without parents
	genius – a person with exceptional talent or abilities; also used to describe remarkable things such a person creates: “He is a genius. His work is (a stroke of) genius.”

Throughout the movie, Mr. Barrie sees things in the lives of these boys, and then we “watch” as they are changed in his imagination to become part of the Peter Pan story. Examples:

	The fatherless boys become a troop of “lost boys” who are forever young
	A bell dangling from a kite becomes a fairy called Tinkerbell.
	You see Sylvia’s unhappy mother holding a hook in her hand, and this becomes the handless pirate Captain Hook.
	Kids jumping on beds begin to fly.

Sentences from the movie: (you can find a lot more at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308644/quotes)

	1. Unfavorable evaluation of a play: “It’s absolute rubbish.” Newspaper headline: “Play fails to impress”
	2. Explanation for why a play failed: “The critics made it important. After all, what’s it called? Play.” (At this time, theater was generally considered a serious event, so it was hard to understand Mr. Barrie’s humor and imagination.)
	3. “I was hopelessly naïve when I married you.” That is, my view of things was too simple and childlike. I should have had a more “grown up” attitude.
	4. “I don’t want you inquiring into it any further.” That is, this is not your concern; it is “none of your business.”
	5. “I wouldn’t dream of it.” Absolutely; I completely agree with you that I should not do something.
	6. “I don’t want a flea’s bit of doubt.” That is, use your imagination; don’t have any doubt that your little brother can get this kite to fly.
	7. “Write about anything. Write about the talking whale that’s trapped in your imagination and desperate to get out.” That is, use your imagination.

Discussion

1. Why is it important for a child to learn to use his/her imagination?

2. Tell us about something you imagined, such as a friend to play with or a place you once dreamed about.

3. How old should you be when you stop using your imagination?

4. If entertainment (at least in part) is supposed to broaden our view of the world, where can entertainers look to find the inspiration they need?

5. Several times, Mr. Barrie said that the key to unlocking creativity was “to believe.” How do people know what to believe in?

6. Many of history’s greatest people believed in a dream or a goal that the people around them couldn’t see or imagine. Examples include Sun Zhong Shan’s vision of a new China, Martin Luther King Jr’s dream of “colorblind” racial harmony, and the Wright Brothers’ belief that people can fly. Where do we get the strength to believe like they did, when the people around us think we are crazy?

7. Mr. Barrie said Peter Pan could fly because he believed “long enough and hard enough.” When is “having a lot of faith” not enough? What is more important than how strongly you believe?

8. What is your dream, or have you gotten too old to use your imagination?

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