Cinephile No. 733 "Christopher Robin"
“Goodbye Childish Things,” a review of “Christopher Robin” by Nathan H. Box
Recommendation: 4/5 Stars, SHOWTIME
Director: Marc Forster, Writers: Alex Ross Perry, Tom McCarthy, Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Bronte Carmichael
Plot: “A working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.” -IMDB
Review: As a child, I was mesmerized by the idea of Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. I wanted to be Christopher Robin playing make-believe with friends of mine. In fact, I invented some imaginary friends named Johnny, Wolf, and Bear. Sadly, I grew up and life forced me to retire childish things.
“Christopher Robin” is structured similarly to the film, “Hook” starring Robin Williams. Christopher returns to his life-like stuffed animals as an adult. Much like Peter Pan, Christopher is forced to return to the best parts of his childhood. As he does, he is forced to see the world through his child’s eyes. By the end, he learns a valuable lesson about time, youth, and taking stock of what is truly important. What makes this film different from “Hook,” is how profound and sad it is.
The characters of Christopher’s childhood are the epitome of innocence. Pooh has ways of speaking the truth that goes straight to the heart of anyone who hasn’t misplaced theirs. The abandonment he feels is easily forgiven when you realize his ability to forgive and love without condition.
There are valuable lessons to learn in this story just as there were with every prior iteration. It may not be able to hold your child’s attention for very long, but I am not convinced this film is for them anyway. This is exactly why I think every mom and dad out there should see it.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan
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