For a movie that's based on the true creation of the lovable kid-friendly character of Winnie The Pooh, this can be awfully melancholy and just plain depressing to watch at times. The overall seriousness that surrounds this story definitely shows that this movie is reaching for a much more ambitiously dramatic depiction of these events. From plot points involving Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, criticizing war, resentment, neglect, family dysfunctions, and the pitfalls of childhood stardom, all combine into an admirably compelling biopic about A.A. Milne his son Billy Moon, and Winnie The Pooh of course.
Needless to say, this might not be the movie you are looking for. However, if all those plot points interests you after all, then this movie will definitely grab your attention from beginning until the end. Just seeing the journey of when and how Winnie The Pooh started, and when and how it ended up to where it is now, is undeniably fascinating to me. Throughout the movie, there are scenes that feel like Easter eggs filled with hints on how they influenced the iconic character and his friends. Those can be a bit too on-the-nose, but I thought Director Simon Curtis provided a good balance with all that.
Domhnall Gleeson is excellent as A.A. Milne, and Will Tilston is amazing as the 8 years old Christoper Robin. Their relationship as Father and Son is the heart of this story, although there are stretches of scenes that may only involve one or the other character. Those scenes of the two in the forest alone are some of the best things to show off about this movie though. Although the media attention and the fanfare surrounding Christopher Robin alters the movie's narrative a little bit, it still comes down to the interactions between the characters. I should also give credit to Kelly Macdonald as the nanny Olive, and Margot Robbie as Daphne Milne, as both of them add a lot to this movie as well.
While some might complain that "Goodbye, Christopher Robin" lays it on too thick with it's emotionally triggered premise, or about how it's not jovial enough, in the end it's still very much worth checking it out.
lovedit ENJOYED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible
