I had been anxiously waiting for Finding Neverland to come to theatres, but after finally getting a hold of someone at Miramax films (after hours of contacting different theatres and such), I was told that Finding Neverland wouldn’t open in quite a few cities, including ours. Disappointed I was, because I had planned to take my friend for her birthday, but in the weeks that followed, I continued checking the Internet and paper daily in hopes of seeing a show time for Finding Neverland. Finally, one Saturday morning, one of my friends, Kendra, and I were skimming the paper, and lone behold – an ad for Finding Neverland! I was so excited, but seeing that this was a one time only, special preview, and only select seats were available, my hopes dampened, but I still convinced my mom and Kendra to go with me early that morning in hopes to get tickets (the show didn’t start until 5:50).

It must have been our lucky day because we got tickets just in time. They were selling out fast. Apparently I wasn’t the only one anxious for this movie to come out. We killed time for a while, but at three O’ clock, we decided to go in and get our seats. Being the first people there, we got the best seats in the house. Mom decided that she was going to stay and take a nap until the movie started so Kendra and I left to walk around some more. We returned at four, and already the theatre was starting to fill up. Mom was sleeping, but did a good job saving our seats, and we killed some more time memorizing the movie trivia, listening to the theatre music, and things like that.  Finally, a family sat down next to us. Mom was awake now, and her and the father of this family were trying to convince Kendra and I that Johnny Depp had botox injections, false teeth, and a comb over. How sad and rude, but being the loyal Johnny fans we are, we didn’t believe them for a second.  The guy was actually pretty cool, because apparently he met Johnny when he was filming Benny and Joon in town years ago (I was only little girl then and didn’t get to meet him, but saw him filming in the Park and stuff) and he was talking about how nice he was and everything.  He said that he was actually a small man…not much taller than me. That was interested me just because I’m 5’ 7”, and I believe Johnny is like 5’ 10”…but, anyway, it was quite interesting.

So finally Kendra and I got up to buy popcorn and other movie junk that is extremely overpriced, but we found out that the concession stand had SELF SERVE BUTTER for your popcorn! Genius idea, really! But not for inexperienced self serve butters like Kendra and I because we just drenched the thing and ended up getting sick later…worth it though, I must say.

So after what, hours of waiting, the movie finally started. The theatre was absolutely packed! I mean, every seat filled and some people were even standing along the sides.  Of course Kendra and I practically cheered because we were waiting for so long, but were entranced by the magic of the film from the moment we saw J.M. Barrie’s head peek from the theatre curtain.  We were just completely spellbound by this movie. It was just indescribable.  We laughed, and at for most of the movie I was tears were just erupting from my eyes until the screen was just blur. I cried more than I’ve ever cried at any movie before, and yet I was so amazed by the film that it was definitely the movie theatre experience I will remember when I’m old and wrinkly.  All the words seem trivial when you come to describe the movie. And I was completely engrossed by it that when Peter Pan said “Do you believe in fairies? Say quick that you believe! If you believe, clap your hands!” I said, “I believe in fairies!” and clapped my hands until my palms hurt. It wasn’t intentional either…it was just part of the magic of the film. I believe I was the first person to start clapping, but then the whole theatre was. And you just have never been so emotional over a movie before, especially when you know that the fairy symbolizes (I’m not going to say because I don’t want to spoil any of it).  At the end of the film, it was very weird because no one got up…everyone just stayed in their seats…in shock it seemed like. The film was that strong.

Finally I started clapping, and for a few moments it was awkward because my clapping was the only sound in the whole theatre, but then everyone started clapping. When we finished, a lady from a back row shouted “I’m crying!” and I stood up and turned around and said “Me too, you wouldn’t happen to have a tissue?” My eyes were red and puffy from crying so much and I looked around the theatre and everyone was just in tears, and then we all started laughing and clapping and it was just absolutely amazing.  The acting was so real, so amazing. Just incredible, really.  The movie is probably the best I’ve seen. And I pray Johnny wins an Oscar for his portrayal of J.M. Barrie because I haven’t seen a performance that was so…entrancing (I’ll use the word again).

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2nd Veiwing - Kendra, Kristen, Christal

Note - I want to apologize to all those people who were watching Finding Neverland and I interupted them (twice). It was very immature of me. I "snuk" into the theatre before our movie began to watch it. I figured I could get a another veiwing of it, and when Kendra came in to get me, she surprised me and I screamed and she dragged me out of the theatre. It was only after we were out, did I realize how loud I was and that we were standing in front of the screen. Please don't be angry at me. It was something that should not have happened and I feel terrible. I also apologize about Kristen laughing at the most inappropriate parts, the sad ones, and everything. She just finds the most unusal things funny and can't help it. Again, I am sorry, and if I could, I would buy all of you another ticket.