Based on Enid Blyton’s beloved classic, “The Magic Faraway Tree” is a sweet, old fashioned family adventure with plenty of charm. The story follows Polly (Claire Foy), Tim (Andrew Garfield), and their three children (Billie Gadsdon, Phoenix Laroche, Delilah Bennett-Cardy) as they leave their old life behind and move to the English countryside. There, the kids discover a magical tree filled with eccentric characters and secret worlds that are far more interesting than anything on a screen.
The movie has a genuine sense of wonder, and the quirky British humor gives it an appealing warmth. I especially liked its gentle message about unplugging from technology and remembering how much fun it can be to simply use your imagination. Beneath all the fantasy, it’s really a story about a family finding its way back to each other.
The movie can be overly cute, though, and the episodic structure where the kids discover one magical land after another makes the story feel a little thin at times. The ending also fizzles more than it should, but there’s enough magic that it’s forgiveable. This is a movie for anyone who embraces the wonder of imagination.
“The Magic Faraway Tree” is an easy movie to recommend for younger kids. It moves quickly, never gets particularly frightening, and delivers plenty of colorful characters and playful adventures. It may not be the most substantial family film, but it captures something increasingly rare: the simple joy of being a kid and letting your imagination take over.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 