The Movie Project: Peter Pan 2003

I chose the category ‘Victorian Mist’ as my period film challenge imagining a very clear list of films in my head only to realize that I’m going to have to fudge a bit as many of the films I’ve selected are actually set in the early 1900s Edwardian era – oops! Furthermore, it mostly takes place in fantastical realms. Hopefully, I don’t get kicked out of the period film challenge for this faux pas!

Okay, on to the film. Until fairly recently my only experience with the story of Peter Pan was via the Disney cartoon which is itself very enjoyable. It has a really cozy vintage 1950s vibe and has held up reasonably well. After watching and enjoying it numerous times with my daughter I became aware of a 2003 live action film adaptation and decided to rent it. It blew my mind! It is truly one of the most gorgeous fantasy films I’ve ever seen.

One of my favorite scenes from the movie: Peter and Wendy in the forrest.

The casting was pitch perfect. The two children (Jeremy Sumpter and Rachel Hurd-Wood) who play Peter and Wendy are gorgeous, enchanting and completely believable. It might seem odd to say about children, but the chemistry between these two is unreal! Jason Isaacs as Mr. Darling/Captain Hook is truly inspired. He was believable the awkward father AND the sinister pirate. Olivia Williams captures the elusive beauty of Mrs. Darling perfectly. This film is also the perfect blend of action, comedy, and drama. There are adventures and thrills aplenty, the lost boys (and Hook at times) are quite hysterical. But what really makes this movie special is how the tragedy of Peter and Wendy is conveyed – the boy who refuses to grow up and the girl who must. No matter how many times I watch this and no matter that I know exactly how it will all go I still find myself longing and aching for them both. And Tinkerbell! She is the best and most convincing I’ve ever seen and it’s fascinating to watch how they shot her scenes and incorporated her into the film.

Lovely/Feisty Tinkerbell

How does the film compare to the book? This is harder to say. The truth is that, although almost everyone is familiar with the story of Peter and Wendy, very few people actually read the book. I only read the book this year and was really charmed by it, but it is a very complicated work. It is fantastical and delightful, but also sinister and bittersweet. Because of all of its psychological implications it has been interpreted and reinterpreted since it's inception. For me, more than anything it is a book that reminds us of the special place that childhood occupies and reminds us adults not to lose touch with our imaginations. So, while the film and book don't mirror one another perfectly in my mind the tone and message are a perfect match.