JD reviews

Three Johnny Depp's movies:

1. Finding Neverland
a heart-stirring movie and a boon for all people with an inclination to imagination. Everyone has heard of J M Barrie's Peter Pan and this movie is the story of where the inspiration for Peter Pan came from. JD plays Barrie, who meets a widow, Winslet, and her four young sons. The sons are facing situation to grow up ahead of their childhood as their mother's health is deteriorating. Barrie gets friendly with the family. He creates the play Peter Pan for these children who do not want to give up their childhood. He comes up with an idea of Neverland, which I think is extremely beautiful: the dream place where no rules exist and everything is happy. He names his play on one of the children named Peter, who he is most close with. Apart from some imagination, the story is true of the real author Barrie. It is a warm tale of magic, fantasy, imagination and above all, innocent childhood. The real fate of these children had been unlike the happy ending shown in the movie. Almost all the boys had a tragic end.
The slow revelation of children's agonies and Barrie's creation of a dream to give them hope is wonderfully pictured. The most appealing part is how Barrie reacts (rather doesn't react) to the failure of his first play and moves ahead to create his masterpiece. I don't know if Barrie's idiosyncracies shown are really an attribute of original J M Barrie or is it just Depp displaying his forte. But whatever, I think JD's little eccentricity is so enchanting.
People might complain of a slow movie but I have no brickbats at all. It's one of my favorite movies and the reason I think JD is exceptional. I liked the performance of Kate Winslet equally and more the no. of her movies I see, more I feel that she is one of the best actresses in hollywood.
Director Marc Foster has done an incredible job and I am awaiting his next movie 'The Kite Runner' anxiously.

2. Sleepy Hollow
I love 'good' horror movies and this is one of the better ones in this genre. It is very picturesque with that 'archaic' feel to it. No wonder it won oscar for art-direction and set-designs. I just love the sceneries, pumpkins, candles, horses, headless horseman, farms and the 'spook' factor it has. Other than that, the movie is a commendable interpretation of the original novel and brings it to the life. Depp is again sweet and up-to-the-mark. The movie is directed by Tim Burton, the man who gave limelight to Depp in Edward Scissorhands. Their combination is again seen in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. They certainly have an eye for 'something different'.

3. Donnie Brasco
Depp and Al Pacino, that leaves little to say. Story of an undercover FBI agent, based upon a real story. Its considered a very good crime movie but somehow, I got bored and had to fast forward many action sequences. But given that its a real story, you cant imagine high drama such as in The Departed or Godfather. Both Depp and Al Pacino are excellent. This is one of the earlier movies that gave Depp fame and recognition as a serious and versatile actor. The movie is different from other crime movies in the sense that Depp, the FBI agent, starts identifying with the crime mob and symapthising with his Mafia friend Pacino. Movie could have been better with a more precise editing and screenplay.