Come Away

By: Jamie Steinberg

What if Peter Pan and Alice (from Alice in Wonderland) were siblings? Screenwriter Marissa Kate Goodhill imagines that life in the new film Come Away. In a tale inspired by time honored novels, Come Away sweeps the viewer up in a fantasy world yet drops them swiftly into a harsh reality.

In 19^th-Century England Peter and Alice are raised to be creative, free spirits in the Littleton household (parents played by Angelina Jolie and David Oyelowo). Alice (Keira Chansa) hosts tea parties for her sweet stuffed rabbit while brothers Peter (Jordan A. Nash) and David (Reece Yates) enjoy a life of adventure as they imagine raids on a boat they’ve located on a nearby river. When the family suffers a deep loss, Goodhill suggests that Alice and Peter find themselves further swept up in their imaginations by an impetus of abandonment and grief.

Director Brenda Chapman (Brave) beautifully shoots the film highlighting rich color palettes. The only downside is the too brief cameo by Michael Caine; however, Clarke Peters truly shines as a standout hatted character that rises from Jack’s past. Unfortunately, darkness pervades when themes of addiction, morality and family dysfunction are explored.

True, Come Away has interesting nods to those to the worlds originally created by Lewis Carroll and J.M. Barrie. While Goodhill and Chapman excel at bringing this iteration to life, sadly those looking for similar of lightness and joy found in the initial tales of these beloved tales will be disappointed.