Movie Review: 'Goodbye, Christopher Robin' dir. by Simon Curtis

Movie of the Month: Goodbye, Christopher Robin directed by Simon Curtis

“After leaving London for the English countryside, writer A.A. Milne starts to spin fanciful yarns about his son's growing collection of stuffed animals. These stories become the basis for "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "The House at Pooh Corner," having them published respectively in 1926 and 1928. Milne and his family soon become swept up in the instant success of the books, while the enchanting tales bring hope and comfort to the rest of postwar England.”

This film is beautifully directed and the actors are amazing, especially Will Tilston who plays a Young Christopher Robin Milne. The story of the movie is based on the life of the real Christopher Robin and heavily focuses on Christopher Robins' relationship with his father; it also shows how Winnie-the-Pooh came to be written. The story behind the well-loved bear is a lot more complicated than one would be lead to be believed. As good as the movie is, it fails to balance the adult trauma that A.A Milne suffered in the war and the childlike wonder of Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh, and friends but does not fail to tug at the heartstrings. A story about Winne-The-Pooh that doesn’t include the bear talking is one that’s hard to think about but it is done in this film by focusing on the father and son dynamic.

Domhnall Gleeson and Margot Robbie have great chemistry that very few actors have that makes them able to work with each other over again and again in different roles. Domhnall Gleeson portrays A.A Milne in a way that makes you understand him and resent him for not paying attention to his son when he needs it the most at the same time. It’s this sort of acting that shows why he is undoubtedly Ireland's top actor. Kelly McDonald also shines as the nanny who is the guardian angel for the young Christopher Robin and the voice of reason for his parents. Margot Robbie plays Daphne de Sélincourt, A.A Milne’s wife and Christopher Robins' mother who seems to care more about her popularity rather than her son and husband. As previously mentioned Will Tilston is amazing as a young Christopher Robin—he brings such emotion, love, and pure joy to the character that it shows just how much of a professional he is at such a young age and is sure to be a rising star in a few years.

The Movie seems like it's going to be straightforward but focuses on many more meaningful topics such as the effects of war, the challenges of marriage, how one inspires creativity, and the incongruous nature of childhood celebrity. It does miss some of the points it tries to weave into the story but with other ones, it gets it so right that it makes the movie a delight to watch.

I might be a little bit biased because if you put Domhnall Gleeson and Margot Robbie in a movie and I will watch it regardless of how bad or good it is. Overall it is a film definitely worth watching that shows the beautiful relationship between a father and his son and I recommend it to anyone who grew up with the stories of Winnie-the-Pooh. This movie will make you see the stories in a new light and have a better appreciation of them, it’s author and Christopher Robin.

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.” —Winnie-the-Pooh

Taking everything into account, I give it an overall rating: 7.5/10.