This is not the usual sort of movie I review here, it’s not a sweeping historic romance, there are no beautiful costumes or elegant sets. It takes place in the real world and is about modern themes, yet it is probably the most magical film I’ve seen in years.

Neverwas is the story of Zach Riley, the son of a famous childrens author, who takes a job in a psychiatric institution where his father once stayed. There he meets the group of patients he is to work with including Gabriel an elderly man who has never uttered a word to any therapist. Gabriel, however, seems to recognize him and believe that he is a part of the fantasy world that forms his delsusions. After some time, Zach realises that Gabriel’s world is the same as the one his Father wrote about, the magical land of Neverwas, and it may not be so imaginary after all.

There is a lot more to the plot than that, but its hard to say without spoiling the film. The acting in Neverwas is superb, Ian McKellen is perfect as Gabriel and Aaron Eckhart plays a great contrast as Zach. All of the characters have so much emotional depth and are played without a hint of judgement for their parts. I really loved the way Gabriel is portrayed, not mocked or stereotyped but given real depth, leaving it up to you to judge what is real and what is not.

This film is about Fairy Tales, and the way we create them out of our own stories, how they can protect us and give us something to hold on to. What is real in the world, is sometimes not as important as what is real in our hearts. I thoroughly reccommend this rare gem of a movie, but warn you that it contains quite strong themes and is probably not suitable for younger viewers, its very intense and made me cry with both joy and empathy. It’s not often that a film moves me to that extent. A really beautiful, touching story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I think the first time I saw this film was back in Drama class is high school, its stuck with me ever since as the only screen adaption of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that really evokes the beauty of the play. I’ve even seen R&J on stage a couple of times and the performances were nothing to this. Since I am watching the Romeo x Juliet anime at the moment I decided to revisit this movie, and fell in love with it all over again.

Filmed in Italy, the streetscapes and stone buildings that form the backdrop to the story feel very authentic, the costuming is beautiful. Rich reds and golds for the Capulets, dark blues and antique silver for the Montagues. It is renaissance in style, with intricate beaded headdresses and slashed sleeves. I love the rich heavy fabrics and warmth of both the costumes and setting, it really captures the feel of both Shakespeare’s time and sunny Italy.

I found the casting superb. Mercutio, in his black humour is perfectly irritating but at the same time invokes pity as his followers still think it a joke even as he lays dying. The heads of both houses are an interesting contrast, the Capulets being loud and fiery and the Montagues more reserved and calm. Of course, it was the casting of two young unknown actors as the starcrossed lovers that really made this film what it is. They are untrained, and their performances so natural that you can’t help but believe in their plight. Juliet laughes like a child and Romeo cries like a young boy, they are both so hopelessly beautiful. Olivia Hussey (Juliet) who was 17 when she played this role, has the most enchanting eyes I’ve ever seen.

My lasting memory of this film, however, is always the theme song ‘What is a Youth’ performed by Nino Rota. It just echoes the tragedy and beauty of the tale and the refrain from it is played throughout the film. One of the most moving Shakespeare film adaptions of all time, you haven’t seen Romeo & Juliet until you’ve seen this movie.

IMDB page

When I originally heard about this film during production, I admit, I was not excited at all. There have been so many Shrek-esque films lately, with pop culture jokes put in to fairy tale worlds that they’re getting rather tiresome. Not to mention how disappointed I was in ‘Ella Enchanted’ which was a beautiful book and got turned in to a shocking parody of a movie (read the book, its completely different!) However, after Enchanted was released it received so many glowing accolades from my friends I decided to be a little more open minded.

Unfortunately I missed the film while it was in the Cinemas, during school holiday time here which does not make for enjoyable viewings, but I finally got to see it on DVD today! I really enjoyed it after all!

Enchanted is the tale of Giselle, a girl from an animated fairy-tale world called Andalasia who meets her Prince in true Disney style and is rushing off to her wedding when the evil Queen Narissa, disguised as an old woman, pushes her down a well. This well, as it turns out, is a portal to our world and the poor girl, still in her wedding dress, comes out a man-hole in to New York. A land, as the story says, where there are no ‘Happy Endings.’

The plot isn’t terribly inspired, though it is sweet, but what really makes this a lovely film is Giselle. I had fully expected an over-the-top parody performance of the silliest aspects of the Disney Princesses, and that’s exactly what she is however she manages somehow to make it seem sincere and charming. There were still points where I cringed, like the fish tank scene, but as the movie progresses she gets deeper while still keeping that joy and innocence. Her dresses (which she makes from curtains in a miracle of efficient sewing) are gorgeous and worth watching the film for alone! I doubt I’m the only princess sighing over the turquoise and pink gown she wears for the big dance number.

I really liked the soundtrack as well, there were some subtle jokes slipped in to the lyrics but the music was still well orchestrated and both Amy Adams and James Marsden had good voices for the musical style. One of my favourite features was how they managed to merge parts of different fairytales together in the storyline, there’s Sleeping Beauty’s Dragon, Cinderella’s Ball, Snow White’s Apples and they even play music from the Little Mermaid in the background of the fish tank scene. A very sweet film with a true touch of Disney magic. Now I’m even more excited about Rapunzel!

Tonight I rewatched an animated film that was a childhood favourite of mine, it was one of the few non-Disney animated films that came out during the 90’s and is based off the tale of Swan Lake I discussed before. I find it an interesting and charming adaption of the story, though it has a lot of humour as well! The scene with the Musicians dressed as animals always makes me laugh.

The introduction to the story is very cute, it shows how the young Prince and Princess, betrothed from birth are forced to spend every summer together, much to their displeasure! They tease and mock eachother through childhood, but this is a welcome change to other tales where the Hero and Heroine fall in love at first sight, having no history between them. However when they have grown and finally fallen in love, the Prince (who’s name is Derek, not Siegfreid) makes the fatal error of being unable to express why he loves Odette, all he can say is that she is beautiful and for this she turns him down.

The rest of the tale plays out as in the Ballet, though with a sweeter ending. It is visually a beautiful film, the painted backgrounds in particular are vivid and I adore Odette’s swan form. Some of the musical numbers are lovely, such as ‘Far Longer than Forever’ which is also the theme to the film. However I find a few of the more jazz-like numbers towards the end a bit over the top, verging on the ridiculous. They may be humorous to others though.

In all, it is a beautiful and mostly faithful adaption of the tale, with its own individuality and sense of humour. I think I love it even more than when I first saw it. It is every bit as romantic and sweet as the more famous Disney Princess films.

Dreamhunter is a very unsual and beautiful tale. It takes place in a place called Southland, a fairly undefined sort of world possibly set after the turn of the century somewhere in colonised Australia or New Zealand, although it could just as well be a world of its own. Within Southland there is a strange phenomena, known as The Place, it is an area of land that when some people walk in to, transports them to a strange dull landscape that seems far larger than the actual external area it covers. Within The Place are dreams, and these can be caught by Dreamhunters who fall asleep in the location of a dream and then leave The Place with the dream inside them.

Over the last twenty years since The Place was discovered, a trade in Dreams has sprung up. Healing dreams are performed at hospitals and more entertaining or pleasant dreams in large opera-like Dream Palaces. These beautiful buildings consist of elegant bedrooms where wealthy and fashionable folk may come (dressed in silk pajamas) to enjoy the dreams carried from the Place. It really is a fascinating concept and cleverly realised world.

The story centres around two young cousins, Laura Hame and Rose Tiebold, both from famous Dreamhunting families. They are about to undertake their ‘Try’ in which they will discover if they can enter The Place or not. One will and one won’t, but The Place and the dreams they discover within will change their lives forever. It is a very clever and moving story and so well written as to draw you in with curiousity and enchant you with dreams come to life. Elizabeth Knox has to be one of the most talented new authors I have discovered of late, her work is both beautiful and profound.

I have actually just finished the sequel to this book, Dreamquake, and I feel that I have been in sharing a dream myself!

This is a really delicious book, what I mean by that is that its the sort of story you just want more and more of. I found myself reading it while waiting for the bus, on the bus, and then when I got home I just wanted to keep reading! Sharon Shinn has been one of my favourite authors for a long time, I adore her Angel series and have been trying to track down some of her fantasy works to read.

Summers at Castle Auburn is the story of Coriel Halsing, a young woman born as the bastard daughter of the second most noble house in the kingdom. She spends her winters at her Grandmother’s cottage in the country, learning about herbs and medicine and then travels to the royal ‘Castle Auburn’ to spend her summers at court with her beautiful half-sister Elisandra, a dashing and dangerous Prince, his level headed cousin and the mysterious Aliora, faerie like beings who are slaves and servants at the castle. This world is full of court intrigue, feasts, balls and hunts and of course romance, which is Sharon Shinn’s special talent as a writer.

I must admit I found the plot a little predictable, but that made it no less enjoyable. It is an interesting story and Coriel is a likeable heroine and especially easy for me to associate with as I’ve also studied herbal medicine for a long time. I found Elisandra a beautiful character too, an example of how a demure ladylike presence can mask an inner strength, sometimes it’s the quiet ones who are actually the strongest. Finally the theme of Slavery was well handled, I thought the Aliora were a truly amazing race.

This book left me wanting to spend my summer at a far away castle too! Listening to musicians, reading, doing embroidery during the day and then having an evening ride (I miss horseriding soo much! I should go again soon) before getting dressed for a glittering feast! I think I need a vacation.

This is a really beautiful little book. It is lovingly designed, with an old fashioned spine, pretty illustrations and parchment like paper with torn (or mouse eaten) edges. It was so interesting to look at that I had to take it home.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo is the story of a Mouse who is a Knight, a Princess called Pea, a Rat with a broken heart and a poor little peasant girl who want’s nothing more than to be a Princess. It is labelled as a children’s book, but I think would be equally interesting to any one who enjoys a good story with a sweet, heartfelt meaning behind it. It is especially dear to me as I have a fondness for mice, I used to have a pet mouse named Teasle. She was black with a little white star on her nose.

Despereaux is a mouse made a little bit different, he sees beauty in everything, is inspired by the romance of courtly love and is so innocent you can’t help but love him. Roscuro is a Rat born in a world of darkness, who wants nothing more than a bit of light but in seeking it causes a great tragedy which leaves his heart twisted and torn. Princess Pea is clever and kind natured, capable of both empathy and forgiveness, understanding even those who wrong her. Miggery Sow is a little girl who has never had much choice in life, noone seems to care what she wants, especially when she decides she wants to be a Princess.

It’s a quirky little story with a lot of soup and adorable illustrations by Timothy Basil Ering. I heartily reccomend it.

Usually when I write about literary inspirations I write about a book, or possibly a series. However I don’t believe it would be fair to do that for the works of Robin McKinley because then I would have to choose a favourite, which seems too difficult a task.

I first discovered her works through her first retelling of my favourite fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast - titled Beauty. I have already mentioned her second retelling - Rose Daughter on this blog. I think most of Robin McKinley’s stories read like fairy tales actually, even if they are original, but they are fairy tales with another dimension.

The only way I can describe it is thus, if you can imagine yourself reading a very old book of tales. Folk stories and epics, bound in a great leather tome with gilt edges and illuminated letters. The words are old fashioned and heavy, the story seems a little predictable (not because it isn’t good, but because you’ve heard similar ones before) then, suddenly, you find yourself inside the story, experiencing everything as the hero or heroine does, and you find its really not as simple a tale as you thought, but a story about real people who feel pain and love and joy and loss just as we do. They’re the stories behind the tales.

I was lucky enough to find two collections of her short stories at the library recently. I have finished ‘Water’ a collection of tales about spirits of the ocean, it also includes some stories by Peter Dickinson. I loved every one of them, but then I’m still on my Mermaid fascination I think. Now I am reading ‘A Knot in the Grain’ which is a very warm little book, I find it really grounding and wonderfully sweet in some parts with just a bit of wildness. She has also retold many other traditional tales including Donkeyskin and Sleeping Beauty.

I think any lover of fairy tales or fantasy should have a look at her works, each is a little treasure and I look forward to finding more!

This week when I went to the library I found so many books I wanted to read, that I couldn’t get them all out! I have already finished the first, Spinners by Donna Jo Napoli and Richard Tchen. It is a re-telling of the story of Rumpelstiltskin that is both humanizing and a little magical too.

Rumpelstiltskin is the tale of a young peasant girl, a millers daughter who spins fine yarn. So fine that her father is always boasting of her. One day he goes too far and boasts that she could spin straw in to gold, the king hears of this and commands the young girl spin a whole room full of straw in to gold for him, or she will die. A little dwarf comes to her in the night and promises to spin the straw in to gold if she will give him something, this happens for three consecutive nights. First she gives him her necklace, then her ring and finally she promises him her firstborn child. When the king decides to marry her and they have a child they do not want to give it up, so the dwarf sets one final task - to guess his name, which is of course, Rumpelstiltskin.

In Spinners there is no little dwarf, wicked and cruel, but a man. The Spinner lost the one he loved and was crippled in the process of trying to win her. In the end he just longs for human love and companionship. The young girl, who’s father boasts of her amazing talent, is still a victim of the story but she is resourceful and intelligent and kind. I was quite inspired by how she deals with all the hardships presented to her. It really is a beautiful retelling, though it makes for a sad story. Apparantly the author learnt to spin herself, so that she could make the tale as real as possible. I would love to read some of her other fairy tales too.

At the moment I am re-reading the Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It is probably my second favourite tale of hers, after A Little Princess and starts off in a very similar way. Young Mary Lennox is forced to leave India after a cholera epidemic and she goes to stay in Misselthwaite Manor. Mary finds that the Manor has many secrets, the garden being only one of them.

I find the idea of a Secret Garden so enchanting. A private place away from the world where one can be alone, or share it only with their loved ones. A walled paradise, each season refreshing the decor. There would be a swing with climbing roses running down the ropes and a little lake with golden fish. Great oaks and ashes would grow around its edges with delicate silver birch in between and every flower imaginable, narcissus, lillies, violets would grow wild between the paths. I would love a garden such as this.

The French have a concept, Le Jardin Secret, which I admire. It is a metaphor for one’s private inner sanctuary, where the most secret emotions and dearest memories are kept. It is peaceful place where you can go to be most truly yourself and enjoy your own dreams and fantasies I think we all have a place like this, even if there is not a term for it in english, and it is very closely linked to my own idea of what it means to be a Princess and a Lolita. For me, beautiful clothes and songs and stories are the keys to this place where I feel truly at peace with who I am.

Merci Julie, Victoria and Amélie for your help with defining le jardin secret