Title: The Magic Faraway Tree
MPA Rating: PG
Director: Ben Gregor
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nonso Anozie
Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins
What It Is: When the Thompson family is forced to relocate somewhere less expensive and modern family moves into a forest. Within it is a magical faraway tree. These modern children are used to modern amenities. What will they do with no cell phones, no video games, no anything they are used to? What this will do is help this family, who were previously very disconnected, grow closer. With a little help from some friends in the faraway tree.
What We Think: There’s a real magic to this. The sort that works well for the entire family. Andrew Garfield is magnetic and his chemistry with a wonderful Calire Foy here makes the whole affair work. This felt like a Paddington situation. Where I go in thinking and complaining about “some kids movie” and walking out of it respect the hell out of the film in front of me. Sometimes in films like this the child actors can irritate me. They were quite the opposite here. They are the heart and soul 1of this entire project. Big shout to Billie Gadsdon who plays young Fran. She is terrific.
Our Grade: B, I would recommend highly that you and your entire family sit down and really soak in the magic of this film. Every once in a while a family film comes out that is genuinely really well made, well acted and worth your time. This is absolutely one of those cases. Ben Gregor could’ve fallen into the trap of being too over-sentimental in his direction but the script is solid and has enough for the adults to not fall asleep at. Trust and believe if this were boring I’d 100%be slumped in my seat at this point in my life. Thankfully this isn’t the case. Make sure to check this one out!
