Film fans are about to take another trip back to the Hundred Acre Wood, but thanks to the magic of technology and the magical filmmaking sensibilities of director Marc Forster, they’re about experience Winnie the Pooh like they never have before with “Christopher Robin.”
Ewan McGregor stars in the title role in “Christopher Robin,” a new, live-action take on the famous A.A. Milne and E.H. Shepherd characters that finds Christopher as a working-class adult. Overwhelmed by his adult responsibilities, Christopher is suddenly revisited by his childhood friend, Pooh (voice of Jim Cummings), who once again helps him enjoy the wonders and joys of life.
Hayley Atwell also stars as Christopher wife, Evelyn, and in a post-production interview, the star of the “Captain America” movies and “Agent Carter” TV series said the film version perfectly captures everything fans loved about the animated tales of Pooh, his animal pals and of course, his human friend Christopher.
“It’s very true to the tone of Winnie the Pooh and has what we love about Winnie the Pooh, as how it represents the naivete of childhood that allows us to play with an open mind,” Atwell said.
Atwell sang the praises of Forster, who as the director of the 2004 Best Picture Oscar-nominated film “Finding Neverland” told the enchanting tale of how author J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) was inspired to write “Peter Pan.” Before that, Forster directed Halle Berry to her Best Actress Oscar for “Monster’s Ball.”
“Mark is such of a unique filmmaker in how he can go from something like ‘Monster’s Ball’ to Winnie the Pooh, and I love that,” Atwell enthused. “I think the way he can tell stories is really interesting.”
Atwell also loved working with McGregor, who she called a “natural, charismatic leader” for the project.
“He plays the grown-up Christopher Robin, and like most of us when we grew up, he wonders what’s going on with the world and gets a little bit cynical because of it. That sometimes can be healthy and sometimes not, like when we focus too much on the things that shouldn’t really matter, like money or status,” Atwell said. “At the heart of the story is what Winnie the Pooh can teach us, even as adults.”
“Christopher Robin” opens in theaters nationwide on Aug. 3.
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
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