David R. Walker

Posts Tagged ‘Simon Russell Beale’

The Magic Faraway Tree

Director: Ben Gregor

Cast: Claire Foy, Andrew Garfield, Rebecca Ferguson, Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie, Jennifer Saunders, Jessica Gunning, Michael Palin, Lenny Henry, Billie Gadsdon, Simon Russell Beale, Phoenix Laroche, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Claire Keelan, Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Dustin Demri-Burns, Hiran Abeysekera

Running Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes

Film Rating: 6 out of 10

Despite big stars like Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge, Tick, Tick…. Boom!) and Golden Globe and Emmy Winner Claire Foy (The Crown) being attached to this British fantasy film, The Magic Faraway Tree based on an adapted screenplay by Wonka & Paddington 2 screenwriter Simon Farnaby based upon a children’s book by Enid Blyton, this film comes across as uneven and strange.

The Magic Faraway Tree was part of a series of children’s books published by Enid Blyton between 1939 and 1951 long before the invention of the internet. In director Ben Gregor’s 2026 film version the central theme seems to be to lure young British children away from their iPads, game boys and screens to rediscover the magic of nature. In this case a magical tree filled with pixies, fairies and secret lands.

When Polly and Tim Thompson lose their jobs in expensive London they are forced to move to the country far away from WIFI, sophistication or Instagram. Their three children Fran played by Billie Gadsdon, Joe played by Phoenix Laroche, and the angry teenage eldest Beth expertly played by Delilah Bennett-Cardy are initially horrified about moving to the middle of nowhere whereby their useless father, well played by Andrew Garfield has a notion to grow tomatoes for pasta sauce as a means of survival.

Soon adventure abounds when Fran meets Silky, a voluptuous blonde fairy wonderfully played by Nicola Coughlan and she leads the impressionable young girl into the faraway tree whereby she encounters Mr Saucepan played by Dustin Denri-Burns and Moonface played by Nonso Anozie. These magical creatures lead Fran up to various different lands including Goody land and Birthday land.

Fran soon convinces her brother and sulky teenage sister to join her whereby they go to birthday land and make wishes in which one of them will undo their parents’ hard work at being self-sustainable by growing tomatoes for a tomato pasta business.

The fantasy scenes in this film are totally bizarre and silly. The world building is non-existent. The pastoral scenes of the English countryside are beautifully done and are the director’s strongpoint. Garfield and Foy do their best as wacky unconventional parents and then there is a weird cameo by the Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders as the wealthy grandmother who speaks with a German accent.

As the children seek to reverse a dreadful wish and revive the promising tomato crop, they get caught up in the world of the evil Dame Slap, a caricature appearance by Rebecca Ferguson, who does not seem comfortable acting in such a bizarre film. Ferguson should stick to action films.

There are brief appearances by Michael Palin and Lenny Henry but unfortunately The Magic Faraway Tree does not stand sturdy as an engaging cinematic adventure and comes across as a contrived pastiche of fantasy worlds in which the director is trying to drive home the notion that young people in the 21^st century should have less screen time and more time in nature.

The best thing about the film are the young stars, while the adults come across as goofy.

Unfortunately The Magic Faraway Tree does not translate well into a film in 2026. Luckily Enid Blyton is not alive to see this fluorescently flawed rendition of her wonderful children stories.

The Magical Faraway Tree gets a film rating of 6 out of 10 and is unfortunately not that good. The fantasy is weird and the screen adaption should have kept the original tale in the 1940’s or 1950’s. To update this children’s tale to the 2020’s is the screenwriter’s first mistake.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Director: Simon Curtis

Cast: Michelle Dockery, Joanne Froggatt, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Dominic West, Phyllis Logan, Allen Leech, Robert James-Collier, Sophia McShera, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Penelope Wilton, Jim Carter, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox, Harry Hadden-Paton, Douglas Reith, Simon Russell Beale, Arty Froushan

Running Time: 2 hours and 3 minutes

Film Rating: 8 out of 10

It’s the 1930 season in London and scandal erupts when at a royal gathering, Lady Petersfield played by Joely Richardson (Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Anonymous) discovers much to her shock and horror that Lady Mary Talbot of Downton Abbey, superbly played by Michelle Dockery, is divorced. Lady Mary resplendent in a ravishing red gown abruptly leaves the party with her reputation in ruin.

So begins the fractious premise of the final film Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale beautifully directed by Simon Curtis and featuring an all-star cast including newcomers Alessandro Nivola (American Hustle, Kraven the Hunter) as a scheming American Gus Sambrook and Persian American actor Arty Froushan as the witty playwright Noel Coward.

It is the age of Noel Coward and the Crawleys need to face some fresh challenges without the wit and sharp humour of the late Lady Gratham, a role written especially by screenwriter Julian Fellowes for the late Oscar winner Maggie Smith.

Besides Lady Mary’s divorce, there is the future of Lord and Lady Grantham, a sophisticated combination of British tradition and American wealth which is now on shaky ground. Paul Giamatti plays Lady Grantham’s brother Harold Levinson fresh off the boat from New York with startling news that the American wealth has somehow been depleted.

Lord Grantham played with vigour by Hugh Bonneville is facing the prospect of an early retirement, but screenwriter Julian Fellowes with skill and determination creates an elegant narrative tapestry expertly weaving several subplots into a brilliant storyline involving a character heavy story about a new decade in which old traditions are challenged and fresh ideas are hinting at an approaching modernity.

With beautiful costumes by Scottish designer Anna Mary Scott Robins particularly evident in the fabulous Ascot scene, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale brings all the joy of the original series along with the cinematic grandeur of the big screen as the film follows the final chapter of The Crawleys as they navigate a changing world in which many of their customs vanish while the noble family learn to adapt, survive and embrace change.

Some notable scenes are between Laura Carmichael and Alessandro Nivola and of course between Oscar nominees Elizabeth McGovern (Ragtime) and Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man, The Holdovers). It’s as if the supporting cast now has an opportunity to shine without the cynical gaze of Dame Maggie Smith looking at them with contempt. Although Maggie Smith’s absence in the film is felt keenly and Julian Fellowes acknowledges her ever lasting legacy.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is an exquisite film centred on a masterful script filled with wit, humour and nuance written so beautifully by Oscar winner Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park) who has a knack of discovering the fine line between the landed gentry and the servants downstairs, whose lives are continually entwined.

If audiences enjoy etiquette, good wit and sophistication, then be sure not to miss Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale a lovely British film about the elegant transfer of power from one generation to the next in a rapidly changing world.

With a massive supporting cast, beautiful houses and gorgeous costumes, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale gets a film rating of 8 out of 10 and is highly recommended viewing especially for those that loved the TV series.