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Neverwas

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Neverwas

PG-13

2005

1h 42m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

14%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Dr. Zach Riley (Aaron Eckhart) begins practicing at the Millwood Psychiatric Clinic -- a mental health retreat where his deceased father, renowned children's book author T.L. Pierson (Nick Nolte), was once interned. Riley finds an unlikely friend in Gabriel Finch (Ian McKellen), a disarming patient who forces him to examine himself. When Finch suggests that the fantastic land in Pierson's classic book "Neverwas" is real, Riley begins a spellbinding investigation into his father's work.

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Dennis Harvey

Variety

This is the kind of movie where a madwoman's outburst leads her to throw a mug that just happens to be filled with gold sparkles -- which can then be photographed cascading down on all the adorable loonies, in slow-motion.

Sep 20, 2005

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

At a time when most films lack subtlety, it is rare to find one as delicate, wistful and tender as 'Neverwas.'

Rated: B

Jun 21, 2008

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Brian Webster

Apollo Guide

Writer/ director Joshua Michael Stern has crafted something more than a mess and something less than a film that hits home. Neverwas never does quite win us over.

Rated: 66/100

Jul 4, 2007

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Jules Brenner

Cinema Signals

Never has so much talent come to so little because of a screenplay that's so adrift and aimless. Eckhart plays a psychologist with enough personal psychoses to keep himself preoccupied for a lifetime.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 4, 2007

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John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

Seems rather a waste to use name actors and then not have them actually do anything.

Rated: 4/10

Jul 3, 2007

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Jason Gorber

Film Scouts

Good actors are wasted, sets dominate storytelling, and it's all based on the most banal and artificial of children's tales. Avoid.

Rated: D

Jun 21, 2007

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catherine h

Fabulous film! Great cast! It's my go to when I need inspiration for writing, or painting. Sound track by Phillip Glass is just as magical as the story. The story takes me right back to my childhood, And I wish Neverwas was a pop-up book by Robert Sabuda- I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/12/24

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Jerod S

Eckhart's dad (Nolte) writes a beloved kids book but goes insane. Eckhart then goes on a goose chase with Britney Murphy to get to the bottom of Gandalf's infatuation with his dad's fairytale kingdom. It's all just too much.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/21/24

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Kasey T

I adore this movie. Wonderful cast, Brittany Murphy (rip 😔) and Sir Ian McKellen (he is spectacular in any film he is in) are perfect for their character rolls. As we're Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange (love her!), William Hurt, Vera Farmiga, Allen Cumming, and Cynthia Stevenson. The story is bittersweet and enchanting. Even if it is considered an obscure film, it is in one of my top favorite movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/27/23

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nate m

I never saw Ian McKellen in a movie. Wow - what an amazing actor. I'm glad I watched the movie, but have no desire to watch it again. '

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

No one seems to love this movie. Guess they lost their childhood. I love to be sweapt away in mysterie, the feeling that everywhere you go, is an adventure, like when i was a child. Going back to a time when all things where exiting and mysterious. This movie provides that. Open your mind like a child, and you will find a great treasure in this movie, and maybey, you will see adventure in your real ,ordinairy dull life ,where you previously saw none. Give it a go, and be pleasently surprised. I watch it once every year , and i love it!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is one of my favorite films I have ever seen and one I recommend to anyone. On the surface this film is about fantasy, and the thrill of a more exciting version of life, but deep down is the anguish of reality and how we, as individuals deal with our own disappointments. The acting was great and the director "directs" you through the story exactly how you are intended. Please ignore the poor rating from the "critics" and see this film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

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Joshua Michael Stern

Director

Aaron Eckhart

Zach Riley

Ian McKellen

Gabriel Finch

Brittany Murphy

Maggie Blake

William Hurt

Dr. Peter Reed

Nick Nolte

T.L. Pierson

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Synopsis

Dr. Zach Riley (Aaron Eckhart) begins practicing at the Millwood Psychiatric Clinic -- a mental health retreat where his deceased father, renowned children's book author T.L. Pierson (Nick Nolte), was once interned. Riley finds an unlikely friend in Gabriel Finch (Ian McKellen), a disarming patient who forces him to examine himself. When Finch suggests that the fantastic land in Pierson's classic book "Neverwas" is real, Riley begins a spellbinding investigation into his father's work.

Director: Joshua Michael Stern
Producer: Sidney Kimmel, Greg Shapiro
Screenwriter: Joshua Michael Stern
Production Co: Kingsgate Films
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Issues)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 42m

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