Finding Neverland | Jan A.P. Kaczmarek
an emily blunt review

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Film Review

Bluntly speaking? The Finding Neverland soundtrack is as inspired as the beautiful film for which it was created. The music by composer Jan A.P. Kaczmarek speaks in fluent Panian…while being, at the same time, a singular concert of grand orchestrations; simply beautiful.

As the notes spill out, and explode into the room, you're mind follows as you find yourself - mentally - heading out that gothic bedroom window…yourself flying…towards the night sky, up past the clouds, till you're dancing around with the stars.

Each piece magically, musically, tells its own tale through the galloping notes. When you do open your eyes, you're half expecting you have truly been transported, hand-held, by giggling gossamer winged fairies and pajama clad youngsters into Neverland…

The piano work by Leszek Mozdzer is positively mesmerizing…it tickles and tinkles all over the keys, and the affect upon the mind's eye is delicious. The Brompton Oratory School Choir lends the angelic "Ooms" and "Ahhhs" throughout giving Finding Neverland, and a highly appropriate flute with detailed Pan-ish influence, thusly a dollop of additional delightful enchantment to these extended soundtrack pieces. Some of the work has recognizable Christmas-y Old-World Bavarian-Castle-ish tinge which summons up a memory-feeling of snow flurries before you, the temperature around you starts to chill, you can smell the warmth of cocoa, and snowmen begin to waltz…me at least.

Finding Neverland is a grand ode to 'Peter Pan''s creator J.M. Barrie, and Kaczmarek's notes captured that same illuminating, transporting, and instantly comfortable feeling Barrie himself managed with words. It is a triumphant beautiful musical journey that accents screenwriter David Magee and director Marc Forster warm journey on film fantastically. Enjoy. Buy it