“But because of my brothers, I haven’t forgotten how to dream.”

From Come Away.

Growing up in the beautiful English countryside, life has been full of endless imaginary fun and adventure for David (Reece Yates), Peter (Jordan Nash), and Alice (Kiera Chansa).  With their mother, Rose (Angelina Jolie), constantly telling them magic stories of faeries and their father, Jack (David Oyelowo), sharing his love of ships and journeys, the three children’s adventures are only limited by the setting sun ushering them home for dinner.  A visit from the children’s Aunt Eleanor (Anna Chancellor) brings a stuffy dinner, but it also brings the heartbreaking news that she got David accepted at a prestigious boarding school.  While the entire family struggles with David’s fast approaching departure for school, it is most difficult on his younger siblings.  Looking to make his brother feel better, David takes Peter out to play by the river, but an accident on a dilapidated boat ends David’s life.  The family falls into depression, with Rose closing herself off, Jack falling back into gambling with his friend (Michael Caine), Peter trying to abandon his childhood, and Alice staring into a handheld mirror to catch another glimpse of her oldest brother.  While the housekeeper (Jenny Galloway) tries to look after the children as their parents grieve, Jack’s gambling debts quickly follow him home, so peter and Alice sneak away to deal with the owners (David Gyasi and Clarke Peters) of a London pawnshop to get the money for their father.  Peter and Alice begin to grow apart as he dreams of living free like his imaginary lost boys and she longs to be a lady like her aunt; both struggle to decide how they’ll hold onto the magic of their childhood.

This drama takes a look at the true magic of childhood through the imagined origin stories both of Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. While a large portion of the film is heavy, the clever story writing, talented actors, and impressive special effects come together to create an overall uplifting feel.  Part heartbreaking drama and part magical fantasy, Come Away is a captivating adventure that will connect with viewers who have ever searched for a way to cope with loss.