Goodbye Christopher Robin

"Winnie-the-Pooh" has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember but I was of course raised on the Disney theatrical shorts and TV shows (I did not know until writing this that the Walt Disney Company now owns the rights to the books). As an adult, I did read a Pooh story by A.A. Milne and was very impressed with its charm. "Goodbye Christopher Robin" has that same charm and the story is told by way of some great acting. Some say that there wasn't a good balance between the mature and innocence angles of the story and I can see their point but I thought it was interesting for example to portray a dramatic moment in a warmhearted visual manner. The film was also a tad depressing.

There always must be conformity in the color scheme of a movie unless there is a good reason. However, scenes can be tweaked depending on the context while still appearing as part of a whole. A dramatic scene can be slightly darker and devoid of color when compared to other moments in the same movie for instance. The look of "Goodbye Christopher Robin" is very warm, even during some dramatic moments. The war scene at the start of the film is quite dark but once Billy Moon is born, the film maintains its appealing look. The story is told chronologically without a whole lot of metaphor or fantasy. It is Milne's perspective on his child's life and sometimes, when the father takes part in the imagination, the scene becomes real such as with the snow. In the process of overcoming the mental scars of war and in searching for a way to write an end to such future calamities, Milne finds peace with his son and wants to share that peace with the country. As a Canadian, I am so glad they included Winnipeg the bear in the film. It was also great to see the origin of many elements of the Pooh books such as Pooh Sticks. While growing up and comparing the Disney designs with the Shepard artwork, I could sense value in the original book illustrations and so I was glad the film featured Ernest quite a bit. In trying to solve his problems and take proper care of his family, Milne and his family encounter new problems because success doesn't necessarily bring happiness. Just as A.A. Milne had a traumatic experience in the First World War, his son Billy Moon has to endure the trauma of popularity and fame. The film starts out with a troubled family and ends likewise except the family has new troubles. The middle of the film, which has Milne and his son spending much of their time together, is the best part of the movie for obvious reasons. It has to be the best part because not only is it the foundation for a literary achievement but also, as pointed out at the end of the film, it was the best time in the life of the father and son. One fact about A.A. Milne during the Second World War is that he became a captain for the Home Guard and this is alluded to. The conclusion of the movie after the WWII was very powerful as Billy Moon comes to realize the good that came out of "Winnie-the-Pooh". Unfortunately, this was some fictional licensing because the real Billy Moon became estranged from his parents.

As mentioned, all the main actors in this film deserve a shout out. Domhnall Gleeson is really making a name for himself separate from his father. I recognized Kelly Macdonald's voice immediately but I did not recognize Harley Quinn while watching this show. By the way, both Gleeson and Macdonald were in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2". Both Will Tilston and Alex Lawther (who I first saw in "The Imitation Game") were both amazing as Billy Moon. With "Goodbye Christopher Robin", director Simon Curtis made a movie just as good as "Woman in Gold" and it was very beautiful to look at but it was a little melancholy by the end. Still, I was grateful to experience how A.A. Milne created a piece of literature that found its way into the hearts of children around the world, including Diane and Sharon Disney.

3.5 stars out of 5