Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017) [Movie Review]


Dir: Simon Curtis
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, Kelly Macdonald
Dur: 1 hr 47 mins
Genre: Biography
Rating: 7.5/10

The film tells the interesting story behind the infamous story of Winnie the Pooh. It traces the life of A. A. Milne, the author and his son, Christopher Robin, on whom the book was based. This is one of the first films I have seen which attempts to show the story behind the story. The concept itself intrigued me and inspired me to put it on my watchlist. I was happy I did so because the film offered me a brilliant perspective into the life of an author.

The film stands out for me because of its focus on the life of the author, A. A. Milne. As the minutes tick by, it become apparent that this is not just a fanciful tale of a successful author. In fact, the film exposes the struggles he went through in developing the book, the toll it took on his personal and family life and the effect of success on his family. I admire the director’s courage in going ahead with this project. It seems like a gamble because he isn’t making something that is flashy, extraordinary or overtly inspiring. Instead, he endeavours and succeeds in making a film that is intensely human. The chief focus of the film besides the inner and outer struggles faced by the author, is the role of his son, Christopher in the whole drama. What turned out to be a childhood fantasy slowly began to turn into a nightmare of sorts. The film’s title is poignant once one understands the context in which the story was developed and marketed. The film does not shy away from depicting the effects of ‘celebrity status’ on people especially children. The significance and importance of family is very well depicted and basing on the portrayal in the film, life in the Milne home must have been pretty dramatic and even harsh at times.

Domhnall is convincing in his role as a severely affected war veteran and struggling writer. Margot blends in quite well, though not altogether convincingly, with the drama. The real highlight though is the impeccable acting of the young Will Tilston, who plays Christopher Robin. He is quite a star and is perhaps the most watchable character in this rather gloomy drama. The film is great. It gives off powerful messages about life, family, motivation, success and humanity.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsAlKzokl-8

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