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*In a summer full of ‘family” films, animated films and loud blockbusters, Disney’s “Christopher Robin” – a live-action tale of Winnie the Pooh and friends – might, unfortunately, be overlooked.
Please, don’t make that mistake.
This is a unique, artsy and innocent film that helps us find the kid in all of us.
It does so by focusing on characters, from the title character – portrayed by an excellent Ewan McGregor – to Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and the rest.
The tale starts with a young Christopher Robin (Orton O’Brien) leaving for boarding school. We see the bond he has with his friends – Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Owl and Rabbit – as they throw him a goodbye party in the Hundred Acre Wood. In one of many touching moments to come, Robin tells Pooh he will never forget him.
As we quickly see, however, the experience of boarding school causes Robin to mature quickly, to the point where almost all the joy has been squeezed out of him.
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As we meet the grown-up Robin, we see that he is obsessed with work, almost never sees his wife Evelyn ( a stunning Hayley Atwell), to the point of frequently missing dinner and is so caught up in his daughter (Bronte Carmichael) being successful in school, his “bedtime stories” consist of reading textbooks to her.
One weekend, when it seems he is in danger of losing both his job and family, Robin is surprised to find himself reunited with Pooh, who is looking for the rest of his friends. In finding them, Robin ultimately discovers the kid within himself and rediscovers what truly matters.
If that sounds a bit schmaltzy, it is but is done in such a way that it pleases the senses and makes for a memorable film rather than a case of diabetes.
Atwell and Carmichael are both outstanding with limited screen time.
Of course, despite the title most kids – and a large number of adults – will be going to “Robin” to see the plush characters like Pooh come to life. Though a rare, artsy, traditional family film, when the payoffs come, the kids will likely be roaring.
Today is #WinnieThePooh‘s favorite day. ? #ChristopherRobin is now playing in theatres. https://t.co/jRd9nVRzkc pic.twitter.com/nKeEcRmmrA
— Disney (@Disney) August 3, 2018
Most importantly, in a world where even properties like the Muppets are “updated” to be “edgy”, when Pixar, LucasFilm and other children’s fare has kids dreaming of being superheroes or has kids’ offerings peppered with humor that is increasingly too lowbrow or too sophisticated, “Robin” reminds us all that part of the wonder of being a kid (and adult) is simply to never forget the joyous journey being a kid should be.
While some may find “Robin” slow and sappy, the kids in the theater were all laughing as loud as any I’ve ever heard.
Disney has done it again. With “Christopher Robin”, they convey the universal message of true friendship and being kid-like, and that is an unbeatable ride to take for 104 minutes.
“To get where I’m going, I have to leave where I’ve been”, says the Zen-like Pooh in one scene
Hopefully, families who have had their fill of superheroes, special effects and chatterbox sidekicks will want to go with Pooh and the others on the wonderful ride and instant classic that is “Christopher Robin”.
Grade: A
