Watch Neverwas

Neverwas is a 2005 fantasy drama film directed by Joshua Michael Stern and starring Aaron Eckhart, Ian McKellen, and Brittany Murphy. The movie revolves around Zach Riley (Aaron Eckhart), a successful psychiatrist, who returns home to the mental institution where his father worked and experienced a tragic end. Zach uses his position to investigate his father's mysterious death and meets a young patient, Gabriel (Ian McKellen), who claims to live in a different world, the titular Neverwas.

The movie opens with a montage of Zach's life, showing his relationship with his father and the impact his death had on him. He is also seen meeting his new love interest, Emily (Brittany Murphy), who is a children's book author struggling with writer's block. Zach's professional life is successful, but his personal life is lacking, and he soon spirals into depression.

Zach's problems lead him to take on a temporary position in the same institution where his father worked. Here, he uncovers a world of hidden secrets and lies, with patients claiming to come from other worlds and magical realms, including Gabriel, who insists that he is a king in Neverwas.

As he gets more involved in his patients' lives, Zach begins to see the world as they do, including the otherworldly Neverwas. He becomes desperate to understand his father's death and to find out why this otherworldly realm is so important to Gabriel.

The movie's fantasy elements are beautifully crafted, with the Neverwas world being particularly intriguing, as it is both magical and ominous. The film explores interesting themes such as closure, mental health, love, and grief. The cast, particularly Ian McKellen's performance, is brilliant, and the storyline is well-paced and gripping throughout.

The relationship between Zach and Gabriel is one of the best aspects of the movie. Zach is initially skeptical of Gabriel's claims but becomes curious as he realizes how important the Neverwas is to him. Gabriel represents hope for Zach, a symbol of his father's love, and a glimmer of light in his dark world.

Brittany Murphy plays Emily, Zach's love interest and a children's book author who is struggling with writer's block. Emily is a well-written character, balancing grief with creativity, and providing a contrast to Zach's dark and brooding personality. She also provides an opportunity for Zach to find meaning in his life through love and creativity, although their relationship isn't fleshed out as much as it could have been.

The movie's cinematography is gorgeous, with each line delivered by the actors poignant and beautifully crafted. The music is evocative and enhances the movie's themes and tone, although it can sometimes come across as a little melodramatic.

The film's major flaw is that it sometimes veers into cliché territory, particularly with the revelation of the source of Zach's father's problems, and some of the more predictable moments towards the end. There are also a few logical inconsistencies that take away from the movie's credibility.

Overall, Neverwas is a beautiful, heartfelt movie with strong performances and a compelling storyline. Its theme of moving past grief and finding closure is well-explored, and the movie's depiction of the Neverwas world is enchanting. The film's shortcomings can be forgiven in light of its beauty, emotion, and triumphs. It's a must-watch for anyone looking for a charming, fantastical drama with deep emotional resonance.

Neverwas is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.