Why Can't Peter Pan Grow Up? - 01/05/04 03:15 PM
This past weekend, I took my kids to see the new live-action Peter Pan movie. In general, I've never been a big Peter Pan fan - never read the book, count it as one of my least-favorite Disney flicks, and wouldn't dream of watching any version where a young woman plays the part of Peter Pan. But, amazingly, I actually loved this movie! It was wonderful.
As I drove home, I couldn't put my finger on why I so much enjoyed it. Finally, after perusing some of the reviews on rottentomatoes.com, I figured it out. This is the first time that some semblance of romance was addressed between Peter Pan and Wendy. There was almost a raw sensuality between the two young actors playing their parts, and I was actually rooting for them to kiss. Go figure!
Now, before you think I'm some kind of pervert for enjoying sexual tension between two pre-pubescent kids, let me exonerate myself by saying that it was the innocent-first love/first kiss stuff that sent butterflies through my heart. It was all so sweet and dreamy, I could just imagine being 12 all over again and having a crush on cute Ronny Witt who sat three seats down and once aisle over from me.
Something still bothers me, though, and I'm hoping that all of you well-read and erudite people may help me come to some acceptible understanding. What I have never been able to figure out is why Peter Pan can't grow up. Is he not a real figure but simply a figment of Wendy's imagination? Is he a fairy? It all is presented in such a way that leads me to believe he chooses never to grow up - is that the simple answer? He can't grow up because he simply doesn't want to? No matter what? Cause in this version, you can see that he is seriously tempted to perhaps give growing up a try. So why doesn't he just do it?
I know that if Peter Pan actually grew up that psychologists would have to come up with a whole new term to describe men who act like they are eighteen their entire lives and won't commit to anything that lasts longer than a Monday night football game, but is there another reason? Should I just read the book? Maybe I'm just too obtuse to get this.
Anyway, if you get a chance, check out this movie. Even if you don't have a kid to take, it really is very good IMO.
Lynn
As I drove home, I couldn't put my finger on why I so much enjoyed it. Finally, after perusing some of the reviews on rottentomatoes.com, I figured it out. This is the first time that some semblance of romance was addressed between Peter Pan and Wendy. There was almost a raw sensuality between the two young actors playing their parts, and I was actually rooting for them to kiss. Go figure!
Now, before you think I'm some kind of pervert for enjoying sexual tension between two pre-pubescent kids, let me exonerate myself by saying that it was the innocent-first love/first kiss stuff that sent butterflies through my heart. It was all so sweet and dreamy, I could just imagine being 12 all over again and having a crush on cute Ronny Witt who sat three seats down and once aisle over from me.
Something still bothers me, though, and I'm hoping that all of you well-read and erudite people may help me come to some acceptible understanding. What I have never been able to figure out is why Peter Pan can't grow up. Is he not a real figure but simply a figment of Wendy's imagination? Is he a fairy? It all is presented in such a way that leads me to believe he chooses never to grow up - is that the simple answer? He can't grow up because he simply doesn't want to? No matter what? Cause in this version, you can see that he is seriously tempted to perhaps give growing up a try. So why doesn't he just do it?
I know that if Peter Pan actually grew up that psychologists would have to come up with a whole new term to describe men who act like they are eighteen their entire lives and won't commit to anything that lasts longer than a Monday night football game, but is there another reason? Should I just read the book? Maybe I'm just too obtuse to get this.
Anyway, if you get a chance, check out this movie. Even if you don't have a kid to take, it really is very good IMO.
Lynn