Finding Neverland

One of my favorite movies, for a while, has been Finding Neverland. If you haven't seen it, it should be the next film you order on Netflix or borrow from a friend. It's brilliant, beautiful, heart-warming, and great for people of every age.

Because deep down inside we all wish for a Neverland.

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Here are some of my favorite quotes from the movie:

"I can't write." -Peter
"Have you ever had a journal or written a play?" James Barrie
"No."
"Then how do you know?"

"I don't know what to write about." - Peter
"Oh, sure you do... Write about the talking whale." - James Barrie
"What whale?"
"The one who's trapped inside your imagination and is trying desperately to get out."

"That's nonsense. Young boys should never be sent to bed or else they'll wake up a day older. And before you know it, they are grown up." - James Barrie

"This is just a whole bunch of silliness, really." -Peter
"I should hope so." James Barrie

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Friday and today I showed this movie in my classroom to discuss the themes. Students excitedly, yes I said excitedly, scribbled down answers to in-depth questions about the movie's character development, countless themes, and how it inspired their imaginations.

At the end of the day a student, who reminds me of someone quite close to my heart, remained after for a minute to thank me for showing such a great movie. He said that he has never seen a movie like it and that it is now his favorite. He thanked me for letting him watch such an incredible movie in class.

So while I felt guilty for being one of "those" teachers who show movies at the end of the year, I believe that this is one movie that is worthwhile and has a great deal of substance.

I hope to dream of Neverland tonight, as it certainly awakened the child in me. An awakening I needed more than I could have imagined, as just today I accepted another year of an adult job and teaching at my current school.