‘Come Away’ is not exactly a fairy tale
What happens when you mix A-list actors with a story about loss that also references Neverland and Wonderland? You wind up with the PG-rated stew that is “Come Away,” the new live-action film from director Brenda Chapman (“Brave,” “The Prince of Egypt”) that stars Angelina Jolie and David Oyelowo (also a producer) as Rose and Jack Littleton, the parents in a downer of an art-house family movie.
Although the film follows children Alice (Keira Chansa) and Peter (Jordan A. Nash) as they imagine tea parties and sword fights, it’s filled with more grief and sorrow than fun and joy. A warning: If you’re looking for an uplifting movie right now, look elsewhere.
But what should you know about “Come Away” if you are considering watching it (now in theaters and on demand)? Let’s review.
There are plenty of ‘Peter Pan’ references
For starters, the young son’s name is Peter. He quite literally calls himself Peter Pan at one point. And there are number of other nods to the story of the boy who refuses to grow up, but this one is particularly memorable: Rose (Jolie) gifts her daughter, Alice, a “tinker’s bell” made of the extra copper that the tinker had left over from “mending the pots.” Rose explains that this bell represents a fairy. Upon receiving her present, Alice whispers, “Tinker Bell, it’s wonderful to meet you.” As you may have guessed, the references are not subtle.
There also are ‘Alice in Wonderland’ moments
Indeed, the daughter is Alice (Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays an older version of her). There are a number of other “Alice in Wonderland” symbols, too. We’ll share just a few: Alice hosts tea parties
with her stuffed animals (including a white rabbit); Alice takes a “potion” that makes her feel as though everything around her is bigger; and Alice sees the queen of hearts card and character in her surroundings throughout the movie.
Jolie and Oyelowo play a struggling couple
Jack is a craftsman who builds impressive models of boats (though the parents’ names do not appear to be “Titanic” references). Rose comes from the upper class but, much to the disappointment of her sister, encourages her children to play outside and make up stories. No, Jolie and Oyelowo do not appear to have any on-screen chemistry, but yes, they each have emotional scenes where they can show off serious acting chops. Early in the film, their eldest son dies, and they spend the rest of “Come Away” grappling with grief. As we said, this is not a happy movie.
It’s pretty grim. And gets sadder.
As the Littleton parents deal with loss, they turn to vices: alcohol for her; gambling for him. There’s money trouble. There’s extended family drama. There’s a child who is slapped in the face. There is a parent who is seriously injured. There is not a lot of fun to be had, and an eclectic pawn shop owner doesn’t make up for it.
We see the world as the children imagine it
Fortunately, there are some bright moments in “Come Away,” particularly when the children are enjoying themselves outside. The audience sees the youngsters playing with sticks, and then watches as those sticks become swords and bows and arrows. Though those moments are magical and the references to fairy tales are countless, that doesn’t make for a film full of wonder.