MUCH AS HE might deserve it, Johnny Depp probably won't take home the Best Actor Oscar for Finding Neverland – his performance as Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie is simply too reflective and subtle, and he doesn't get one of those big, showy, Academy-pleasing scenes (see: Sean Penn keening over the loss of his daughter in Mystic River ). This latest from Monster's Ball director Marc Forster is less a biopic, more a gentle examination of creativity and inspiration – which, for struggling playwright Barrie, blooms after a chance encounter with a beautiful widow (Kate Winslet) and her four boisterous sons. Though he's already hitched to a snooty social climber (Radha Mitchell), the childlike Barrie quickly forms a close bond with his new "family." Finding Neverland 's magical moments come when the line between reality and fantasy blurs in Barrie's mind's eye and familiar Peter Pan-isms emerge for the first time (Captain Hook is particularly cleverly introduced). The theme of boys growing up – or never growing up, as the case may be – is also stressed, though a quick scene or two makes sure the audience knows the pure-hearted Barrie was no Wacko Jacko. Overall, the cast – including pros Julie Christie and Dustin Hoffman in supporting roles – is excellent and the cinematography dreamy. But alas, there's no happy ending for this fairy tale: Finding Neverland 's last few reels crumble into manipulative mush (spoiler warning: Winslet's character comes down with a foreboding cough midway through). Also, beware the distractingly awful Elton John song that plays over the end credits. (Cheryl Eddy)