Goodbye Christopher Robin

Cast: Domhnall Glesson, Margot Robbie, Will Tilston, Stephen Campbell Moore and Richard McCabe.

Director: Simon Curtis

Release Date: 2017

Running Time: 1hr 47 minutes

Genre: Drama/Biography

Rating: PG

Format: Theatrical Cinema Release

Synopsis:

A look at the life of author A.A Milne and how his young son Christopher Robin inspired one of the most beloved children's books of all time, that we all know and love, Winnie the Pooh! 

Set in 1926, Alan Milne (Gleeson) hadn't long returned from war when he found himself with post traumatic stress and a serious lack of inspiration for writing books. When his wife Daphne (Robbie) threatens to leave him and his nanny leaves for a few days, he seeks comfort in his young son, Christopher Robin. Desperate for his father's attention he gets him to write a book for him, a book that would soon go onto sell millions of copies and be one of the most beloved children's books of all time, Winnie the Pooh.

One of the most surprising things about this touching story was how dark Christopher Robin's childhood was. Both parents constantly away at parties and gatherings whilst he was looked after by his nanny Olive. Longing for a serious relationship with his father, who at the time was suffering with such severe shell shock that the smallest noise would frighten him. As he begins to form a relationship with Christopher Robin he learns to deal with these fears. It's a fascinating insight into how Christopher Robin became one of the most loved children's book characters of all time.

Starring Irish actor Domhnall Glesson and Margot Robbie. Glesson delivers a very genuine and emotional performance as author Alan Milne. Inspired by his sons toys and Christopher's incredible imagination. Margot Robbie is sensational as Christopher's mother Daphne. Selfish and stuck in her own ways, Christopher looks more upto his nanny then his own mother. Although Robbie doesn't deliver the best English accent, her performance certainly makes up for it. Her accent felt rather over the top than natural.

Newcomer Will Tilston is fantastic as young Christopher Robin, fair to say he has a very promising acting career ahead of him. Tilston is very genuine and natural through out the film, sharing deep emotion and frustration as he is thrust into the spotlight, not understanding why he has become famous, why his beloved teddy bear has become famous. A life essentially he didn't want or ask for. The story however has very inspirational and happy moments as well as emotional ones.

Beautifully filmed in Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, UK. It's visually everything you'd expect from a film about Winnie the Pooh. As the film progresses, you understand where Alan got his inspiration from, the hundred acre wood is a very real place, shown in the movie in all it's glory. Stunning array of costume designs that fit in very well with the time period. We travel in time throughout the film, showing Christopher Robin as a teenager as well as him as a young boy.

Magical, emotional and terribly fascinating. If you ever wondered how Alan Milne came up with the idea for Winnie the Pooh, this is the best explanation you're going to get.

4/5 stars