Film review: Goodbye Christopher Robin & exclusive chat to Kelly MacDonald
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- Published on Tuesday, 26 September 2017 13:58
- Last Updated on 26 September 2017
- Monica Costa
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Goodbye Christopher Robin is a moving and inspiring true story of how the wonderful tales of Winnie the Pooh and his animal friends were born. London Mums loved it so much that decided it is the best family movie of 2017. Don’t miss it this Friday 29th September 2017 when it is released in UK cinemas.
The story
Goodbye Christopher Robin gives a rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children’s author A. A. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) and his son Christopher Robin, whose toys inspired the magical world of Winnie the Pooh.
Along with his mother Daphne (Margot Robbie), and his nanny Olive (Kelly Macdonald), Christopher Robin and his family are swept up in the international success of the books; the enchanting tales bringing hope and comfort to England after the First World War. But with the eyes of the world on Christopher Robin, what will the cost be to the family??
The trailer
The verdict
This movie explores the birth of one of the most popular children’s books of all time. It follows playwright A.A. Milne after returning from World War I suffering post-traumatic stress disorder from experiencing atrocities at the battle of Somme.
He sees himself incapable of continuing his frivolous life as a famous playwright in London and moves his family to the countryside in the attempt to get inspiration for an anti-war book.
But he also suffers from writer’s block and uses the opportunity to spend more time with his son Christopher Robin aka Billy Moon (Christopher’s parents’ pet name for him) in the woods.
The child’s games and toys become a source of new inspiration. Very simply this is how Winnie the Pooh is born!
The stories are very uplifting in post war Britain and America and the family gets trapped in the new of fame, success, book signings, parties. For any modern child this would be hard enough, and six-year-old Billy Moon is no exception.
This is a very current topic considering the lives of so many celebrities’ children. Everybody wants a piece of the real Christopher Robin while he simply desires time with his mother and father who don’t do a good job at parenting (in modern terms).
He sees his childhood games replicated, packaged and sold as Winnie the Pooh books tie-in merchandise. The only person who really understands his needs is his caring and gentle nanny Olive called Nu. Christopher Robin was predominately raised by her, and his attachment to her is like one of a boy to his mummy.
She does a great job at protecting him from reporters and photographers. She manages to protect his childhood.
I have caught up with Kelly MacDonald who plays Nu. I love her honest interview. Kelly is truly amazing and we have recently seen her also in the BBC film The child in time.
Goodbye Christopher Robin makes us all think about the most important things in life by focusing on the father-son relationship spending quality time outdoor.
The character of the mother Daphne is more of a soft villain, a mum who seems more preoccupied with her own parties and interests than the upbringing of her son. In real life, she was not exactly like this but had to face her own demons and distress. But Margot Robbie is not just gorgeous in the period fashion but also perfect for this role although it is not the centre of the story.
Goodbye Christopher Robin will be remembered as the film that launched Will Tilston (in his very first role on the big screen). He is a natural playing Billy Moon. When he will be a grown up and famous actor we will look back at his compelling performance nostalgically.
The movie rating is classified PG because it includes a couple of distressing and violent war scenes. But apart from that, it is a brilliant family movie which will be watched over and over again in the years to come.
London Mums’ rating: 9/10
Goodbye Christopher Robin is out in UK cinemas on 29 September 2017.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
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