Throughout the years there have been numerous famed novels’ making their way to the big screen in hopes of bringing magic to life. The latest, The Magic Faraway Tree based on Enid Blyton’s beloved classic novel and stars Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nonso Anozie, Nicola Coughlan, Jessica Gunning, Jennifer Saunders, and Rebecca Ferguson from director Ben Gregor. Could this film bring the magical journey to life be worth taking or should it have stayed lost in the forest?

 

The Magic Faraway Tree follows Polly, Tim, and their three children - a modern family forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. As they adapt to their new lives, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents, including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot, and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular, fantastical lands, and through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learns to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.

 

I have never heard of this book, which means I obviously know nothing of the source material so must base this review strictly on the film itself. The film starts with the family dealing with their own struggles and of course there must be at least one kid in the family that is going to be a brat and annoying. The story sets everything up for their possible new life direction with you already knowing that this will be a journey of the family trying to reconnect and find themselves.

 

Then the story takes a detour into this magical world that is vibrant and fun, but also a bit cheesy and silly, seemingly by design. The over-the-top costumes and designs work well enough to take you into a new place of magic and life, but it also gives the film a feeling like you are watching some sort of kids’ programming. I know this is a film for families and didn’t expect something serious, but it often is just too silly and all over the place for me to connect with.

 

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