Finding Neverland (DVD)

What exactly is a fart machine, and what is it good for?

You probably never expected that to be the first sentence of this review, but with the Finding Neverland DVD you are not only going to be treated with one of the best films in a long time, but you are also going to have a bit of movie trivia to pass along to your friends anytime you sit down to watch this movie.

Finding Neverland is an exquisite look into the imaginative life of Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie as he is so elegantly and playfully portrayed by Johnny Depp. The movie delves into Barrie's creative process in such an imaginative way that drama is brought a whole new meaning.

This film is a creative process in the works as Barrie suffers a sour note in his playwriting career after his latest play flops on opening night only to find himself recharged thanks to a chance encounter with Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Winslet) and her four young boys, who not only indulge the child still living inside him, but manage to bring life to his latest work.

From pirate ships to spaghetti westerns, the unconventional storytelling of Finding Neverland is what gives it its charm and while the movie is something to be adored, the special features could have done with a bit of imagination themselves.

Along with the feature film, there is also a feature length commentary with director Marc Forster, writer David Magee and producer Richard Gladstein, and while the commentary isn't necessarily entertaining, it is informative, but not exactly a highlight.

Next you have a standard making-of featurette which offers up interviews and a look at the production followed by a Red Carpet feature which goes into the premiere of the film and audience reaction, even Hilary Clinton weighs in with her opinion, I am sure you are anxiously awaiting that one...

The best of the bunch is the short group of outtakes, which ends by letting you all know what exactly the fart machine is, and while I won't spoil the fun I will say that this is a bit of movie magic that didn't cost millions of dollars, but certainly got the job done.

After watching Finding Neverland once again I was reminded of just how much I enjoyed this film the first time I saw it. Every single actor hits their mark and the story never falters, not for a second. Forget the fact that there is only one worthwhile feature, there is no doubt in my mind that this is a movie to own. Features aside, this DVD is worth every penny.