The Magic Faraway Tree Movie Review

Need a feel-good flick for movie night with the family this weekend? “The Magic Faraway Tree” and its entire cast give you exactly what you’re looking for. ​
You get a good opening narration explaining things without giving anything away. It’s “The magic of childhood is always forgot, but this is the story of one who did not.” Not much said there but said well enough to pique your interest.

This movie is based on a popular book series, written for children, by British author Enid Blyton. They go in order as follows, “The Enchanted Wood” (1939), “The Magic Faraway Tree” (1943), “The Folk of the Faraway Tree” (1946) and “Up the Faraway Tree” (1951).

The mother in this story, Polly, played by Claire Foy, created a refrigerator that monitors what your eating habits are. She’s not happy that cameras have been installed to watch your every move, so she decides to make a change and quits the company. Her husband Tim (Garfield) doesn’t work, mostly taking care of his wife and the kids, cooking and such. He also attempts to stay out of the way of his mother-in-law. The kids don’t spend much time with him or their mother, they practically live on their devices, no matter how much their parents try to interact with and get them to see that real-life is important, too. The children, Beth (Delilah Bennett-Cardy), Fran (Billie Gadsdon) and Joe (Phoenix Laroche) are miserable at the thought of reading a real book, but he’s going to do his best to get them to, on a dream destination he and Polly have in mind for them all.

The thought of not having wi-fi has Joe believing they’ve gone back in time. He’s not sure why his leg muscles are aching while walking. A nice long walk is something nearly foreign to them. Fran, the youngest daughter, seems the most open-minded of the three. One reason is because while walking, she sees something special. Hint, you’ll be in on the secret, but she isn’t keen on sharing with the others. She sees a fairy named Silky (Nicola Coughlan) who takes the human child under her “wing.” Silky can’t help but show Fran the magical tree. She shows her how to get into it and what it’s all about. There are several characters Fran is introduced to that you’ll love getting to know, no matter your age.

The writing is as good as the books you remember from your youth and brings back how you felt when you read them. As in those books, this movie has the children learning a few life lessons along the way. They’re fairly obvious, like don’t be greedy and what can happen if you are, and don’t make fun of people who don’t look like everyone else. At one point, characters get a wish. This wish cannot be reversed so they better be sure to ask for what they really want. Here’s where Rebecca Ferguson’s Dame Snap becomes bigger than life. She’s someone to avoid if you can.

I was very entertained by the idea, the actors and the production of this film. I believe you will be, too, because the scenery is magnificent, the call backs are charming, and the running jokes are effective. When Fran sings “The Family Song” in a sweet moment, and why she does, is very touching. Watching everyone get to know everyone else better and improve their life skills is heartfelt. I could go on and on, but might I just advise you see this as soon as possible. I suggest going to the big screen this weekend. I’m crossing my fingers we’ll see more from the series before it’s all over.