Fox Searchlight 119 Minutes PG
Winnie the Pooh fans will flock to see this film, but may not like how sad it becomes. It is beautifully acted and the settings are as magical as described in the classic books themselves, especially scenes of the Hundred Acre Wood. But the family relationships that inspired the books are quite different than expected. And it’s a good example of be careful what you wish for.
We spoke with Director Simon Curtis (My Life With Marilyn, Woman in Gold) who relayed the ins and outs of shooting this film. He describes it mainly as a father/son story depicting how Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh came to be and how their popularity affected author A. A. Milne’s family in positive as well as one very negative way.
It took 8 weeks to shoot in East Sussex where the Milne’s lived and where you can still find the 100 Acre Wood. Curtis says they had to cover the plaque on the rock marking the legendary location since put in and tidy up the bridge described in the classic stories. There are a few too many landscapes with sunlight streaming through. They’re a little overused but they’re pretty.
Curtis loved working with Will Tilston as Christopher Robin, a first time actor who steals the show. 400-500 boys auditioned before casting him. The boy says he was called back about 8 times. Tilston reminds us of a male Shirley Temple, dimples and all but without having to dance. Director Curtis told us that working with Tilston was one of the happiest experiences he’s had working with an actor of any age. And the young boy calls it his best experience so far. He says he learned a lot, especially that in filmmaking, you have to be patient. He’s a charmer and the camera loves him.
Domnhall Gleeson plays intensely serious as writer Milne who served in World War I and had trouble readjusting to life after the War. He had PTSD which his wife, Diana, played by Margot Robbie, had a hard time handling. Even just the sudden pop of a balloon could send him into deep depression. Milne went back to writing plays but turned to books about staying out of war.
Robbie plays Daphne as a kind socialite who expected her life to be hunky dory, with the same parties and fun she had with her husband before the war. But when her husband withdrew and she wanted some fun, she’d take off, leaving father and son behind.
Robbie’s most intensely dramatic scene is when she gives birth to her son. She was naïve and had no idea how difficult childbirth would be. Plus, she wanted a girl. She still loved Christopher Robin, in her own way. their relationship was best when she would give him toys and they’d make believe together. She gave him the stuffed bear and a piglet among other stuffed animals that became characters in the books. Daphne would create voices for the toys which Robbie says her own mother did with the same books when she was a child. These are the characters that provided the inspiration when Christopher Robin challenged his father to write a book for him instead of all that serious stuff.
Christopher was called Billy Moon by his parents to distinguish from the character of Christopher Robin. He was basically raised by his nanny, Olive, played with tender loving care by Kelly McDonald. Her handling of Christopher stands out in the film. Curtis, laughing, relays that new young actor Tilston had only two complaints on the set. He didn’t like the taking bath scenes, and was afraid of the Queen’s Guard who were so tall and imposing. But he loved going to the New York Library where the original Winnie the Pooh is on display.
Director Curtis shows in scene after scene, how, after tWorld War I, the books were a breath of fresh air for parents to share with their children. But the film shows in a series of awkward celebrity appearances how uncomfortable it became for the little boy. Tilston plays a frustrated and resentful child star well, and when Billy starts balking, his father finally realizes the damage being done. The relationship was good creating the books, and in this film, it’s all good when they stop the star treatment. In reality, Christopher Robin never forgave his father.
This film ends on a happy note and is fine for kids to see, especially since the books and the beloved characters of Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eyore and more are so popular, also seen in Disney films and on TV. Gleeson is exceptional showing Milne’s dark side and the changes he makes when he gets to know Billy.
We liken this film like a dark fairy tale about characters we all already know. It’s a good one to share with the family and a beautiful piece of period filmmaking, costumes and all. Although it’s a bit preachy, and very sappy at the end maybe adding just a touch too much honey.
