Neverwas (2005)

Featured Audience Ratings

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Ian McKellen, William Hurt, Ken Roberts, Bill Bellamy, Michael Moriarty, Brittany Murphy, Jessica Lange, Alan Cumming, Nick Nolte Director: Joshua Michael Stern Summary: After taking a job at the mental institution that once housed his father (Nick Nolte) --… More
  Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Ian McKellen, William Hurt, Ken Roberts, Bill Bellamy, Michael Moriarty, Brittany Murphy, Jessica Lange, Alan Cumming, Nick Nolte Director: Joshua Michael Stern Summary: After taking a job at the mental institution that once housed his father (Nick Nolte) -- a famous children's author -- erudite psychiatrist Zach Riley (Aaron Eckhart) befriends a schizophrenic (Ian McKellen) who unlocks a string of family secrets. My Thoughts: "The film is a struggle of insanity and what is real. Ian McKellen is brilliant in his role. You get so caught up in his character that you start to question if his insanity is truly a reality. There are a lot of great supporting actors in this film as well. I was pleasantly surprised at how well Brittany Murphy was in this. All the roles I see her in lately are so dark and lacking good acting from her part. But she was full of life in this film, and I liked seeing her that way. Aaron Eckhart is a character that maybe some can relate to in the sense of him still missing and mourning his father after so many years. I thought he was great. The story may be predictable for some, but just try not to analyze it so much. Just let yourself get swept up in the story. It's a heart warming tale that is also sad and dark at times. It's a great story that should be seen."

• Cynthia S

  
  I really enjoyed this movie. I got a little confused about what was happening from time to time, but I think in the end it all kind of came together for me. I really think that Ian McKellan and Aaron Eckhart are very fine actors, and definitely made this movie worth watching.

• jay n

  
  A whole lot of talented people in a film that really never goes anywhere.

• Cassandra M

  
  I don't know where eabrownfield (reviewer) gets off telling people to "stay away" from Neverwas. This is a magical, and very touching story. An excellent premise with a superb cast and stellar performances from all involved. The scenic settings were well shot and lit,… More
  I don't know where eabrownfield (reviewer) gets off telling people to "stay away" from Neverwas. This is a magical, and very touching story. An excellent premise with a superb cast and stellar performances from all involved. The scenic settings were well shot and lit, often showing the differences between the dark and lighter sides of life. I say dark, yes there are parts in this film that are hard hitting, poinient moments that really make you think and get you inside the characters being played, again i think this is down to the great acting. The flip side is the fairy tale narrative that runs through the whole film, not that it turns in to a children's film at all, as its a story I'm sure many can relate to and will enjoy being told in this fashion. I will say it probably deserves its pg13 rating, its perhaps not for the very young, despite its fairy tale like appearance. Overall go and see this film, you wont be disappointed, i had a great time.

• Curtis L

  
  Fun movie. I liked Ian Mckellen's hobo-castle.

• _kelly .

  
  I hate when a drama is structured like a thriller mystery, especially when it is so "oh, DOH! you didn't need to reiterate that AGAIN" as this film is. If it cut the crap and recognized that most of the audience is aware of the many upcoming "plot twists" far… More
  I hate when a drama is structured like a thriller mystery, especially when it is so "oh, DOH! you didn't need to reiterate that AGAIN" as this film is. If it cut the crap and recognized that most of the audience is aware of the many upcoming "plot twists" far before they happen, this could be a truly outstanding drama. Instead, it treats the viewers like children, like this movie was marketed to unintelligent eight year olds. Dissing done, this is full of power actors giving great performances, with the spotlight on Sir McKellen. Jessica Lange and Nick Nolte are particularly stunning in their supportive roles. I'm still not sure of Brittany Murphy's abilities, and Eckhart seems like he's on auto-pilot most of the film. The art and production design is absolutely stunning, especially during the last reel. The clinic setting in particular looks and feels like a real clinic, which is tough for films set in psychiatric wards. I wish I could rate this movie higher, but it comes down to script structure and dialogue here. As I've explained, the movie is far too obvious and repetitive, though the central story is quite compelling and offers an *interesting* suggestion to writers searching for rich material.

• Walter M

  
  [font=Century Gothic]"Neverwas" starts with Zach Riley(Aaron Eckhart) returning to upstate New York as a psychiatrist applying for a job at a rundown psychiatric hospital. At first, the head doctor(William Hurt) is hesitant but Zach wins him over, and is granted one… More
  [font=Century Gothic]"Neverwas" starts with Zach Riley(Aaron Eckhart) returning to upstate New York as a psychiatrist applying for a job at a rundown psychiatric hospital. At first, the head doctor(William Hurt) is hesitant but Zach wins him over, and is granted one month's probation. At the first group therapy meeting he presides over, Zach has an instant success with a patient, Gabriel(Ian McKellen), who has been in and out of institutions for the past forty years. In a nearby pub, he reconnects with a childhood friend, Maggie(Brittany Murphy), who is a big fan of the highly successful children's fantasy book his father(Nick Nolte) wrote.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Neverwas" is an engaging movie that is ably performed by a great cast, especially Ian McKellen who is magnificent as always. But there is one awkward subplot and some of the events in the hospital, especially the group therapy, do feel rushed over, but the ending makes sense of it all, tying it all together with a resoundingly beautiful climax. Overall, the movie is concerned with a man who is trying to come to terms with and understand the father he barely knew, having died when he was only a child, while at the same time having to share him with the entire world.[/font]

• Deb S

  
  Aaron Eckhart plays Dr. Zachary, is a talented young psychiatrist attempting to understand the nature of his father's (Nick Nolte) madness which resulted in a successful suidice. He takes a position at a mental institution where his father had been hospitalized. There he meets… More
  Aaron Eckhart plays Dr. Zachary, is a talented young psychiatrist attempting to understand the nature of his father's (Nick Nolte) madness which resulted in a successful suidice. He takes a position at a mental institution where his father had been hospitalized. There he meets and becomes friends with an old man, Gabriel (Ian McKellan), who knew his father while they were both inmates. He comes to realize that the old man's delusion was the basis for his father's inspiration as a children's fantasy writer. Jessica Lange plays Zack's bruised alcoholic mother who can't forget her dead husband, Brittany Murphy is the reporter obsessed with the kid of the brilliant author of a children's book entitled Neverwas. William Hurt appears as the hospital's administrator. A lot of big names here including Alan Cummings and Vera Farmiga as patients of the institution in this formidable cast. At the end of the movie I was perplexed though at what exactly was reality and insanity....perhaps I need to look at it again.

• Jason R

  
  Neverwas takes you on this wonderful and emotional ride with a fantastic story and a extraordinary cast.

• Erin C

  
  This movie was excellent. The entire cast was great, even Brittany Murphy, who I normally can't stand. Very touching, and I very much enjoyed it.

• FanGirl B

  
  Don't be fooled by the box art, this is not a fairy tale or a kids movie. It is however a trite and nauseating film, with a very shallow look at mental illness at its core.

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