There is hardly a moment in Disney’s “Christopher Robin” that cripples the heart. There will be quiet sobs and gasps, but the heartaches this endearing live-action adaptation of A.A. Milne classic, ‘Winnie, The Pooh,’ leave behind are just warm enough to let audiences linger in the nostalgic feeling it manages to elicit.
The effect is monumental, yet gentle enough to deliver memory-tickling senses; its exuberance serving as a joyful reminder of a forgotten beautiful past.
Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) is now all grown up. Gone are the days of countless adventures with his stuffed animal friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. Now a working family man in London, Christopher is confronted with the problems of being an adult, dealing with the stress of both his job and his responsibility as a father and a husband. Memories of his childhood–those seemingly endless days of wonder and make-believe, are now behind him. But as they say, sooner or later, your past catches up with you.
A failed family trip ensures Christopher a reunion with the honey-loving Pooh and the rest of his friends from the forest, reminding him of the wonderful childhood he unknowingly set aside, growing up. That first encounter in a very long time, is not in anyway, oversized emotional, but it marks a critical moment in the film that stretches Christopher and Pooh’s story to another adventure filled with both sadness and laughter.
Still extremely naïve and silly, Pooh reminds Christopher they have his back in every struggle he faces. Still occasionally perturbed by the stuffed bear’s raw optimism, Christopher finds a new perspective about things, and finally returns to the old self he never knew he never outgrew.
Ewan McGregor imbues Christopher with dramatic eloquence and articulates the role singularly, his charismatic verve lending it with affectionate appeal that in every moment he carries the character with every emotion it requires, it is so difficult not to believe him and share the emotional weight of his predicaments.
Akin to real life journey of growing up, this modern take of the classic children’s story, navigates through a consistent trail of comfortingly familiar moments, imparting beautiful truths about family, friendship, and life in general.
There is a scene in the film where Christopher had to explain himself for choosing not to be friends with people at work, arguing that it makes letting go of people much easier, to which Pooh replied: “Did you let me go?” Such short but incredible sequence strikes as a powerful reminder of the inevitable moments of letting go in our lives, its heartrending tendency tamed by a tenderness, that is all too fragile and powerful, at the same time. There is a layered pressure evoked in the film’s sheer sentiments, painting moving imageries of experiences that will sure tug at the heartstrings. And yet there is cleverness in inspiring such sense of emotional continuity with humor, a feat largely delivered through the lovely personalities of Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, Tigger, and Owl.
Sweet, heartwarming, and poignant at the same time, Disney’s “Christopher Robin” is a nostalgic celebration of memories and the lessons they impart in life. There may be two genuine emotions that can separate this heartwarming tale of friendship, into two distinct parts: one filled with laughter, and the other, heartache. Never miss a moment with Pooh in it, for he is everything.
Watch the trailer here:
5 – Excellent
4 – Very Good
3 – Good
2 – Tolerable
1 – Terrible
“Christopher Robin” is now showing in all SM cinemas nationwide
