DIRECTOR
Ben Gregor
All Stars, Fatherhood

STARS
Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Billie Gadsdon, Phoenix Laroche, Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie, Jessica Gunning, Dustin Demri-Burns, Oliver Chris, Jennifer Saunders and Rebecca Ferguson

Based on the popular children’s book series by British author Enid Blyton, it feels as though this first-ever feature film adaptation is a long time coming given the series started in 1939 and concluded in 1951. Furthermore, taking real-life events during these years into account, the four books would have transported its readers far from the horrors of the world to a place of whimsical magic that largely existed only on pages at the time. The joyous escapism was undoubtedly a necessity back then and now, in 2026, a cinematic movie version strives to achieve the same in different yet also concerning and similar times of unrest in our world. Talk about timing!

Bringing the characters and story from the books forward to modern day, married couple Polly (Claire Foy) and Tim (Andrew Garfield) make the brave decision to re-visit an old dream and move their family of five, which includes three kids Beth (Delilah Bennett-Cardy), Joe (Phoenix Laroche) and Fran (Billie Gadsdon), to the countryside after Polly suddenly quits her job. While the move is a literal breath of fresh air for the adult city-dwellers, the children do not approve of anything less than 5G coverage and understandably struggle to adapt to living off the land. While exploring her rural surrounds, Fran spots a fairy (played by Nicola Coughlan) who soon leads her to an enchanted woods accessed via the titular magic faraway tree.

There are as many inventive ideas in this film as there are leaves on a thriving tree and the story itself is brimming with wondrous adventure, yet it must be said that cinematically, The Magic Faraway Tree doesn’t quite capture and package an experience as extraordinary as it hoped for and could have been. The level of visual creativity and flair present throughout the film can be likened to and even summed up by one of its sequences where our child protagonists visit ‘The Land of the Goodies’. As the name suggests, this colourful paradise is a confectionary enthusiasts heaven with just one rule: Do not be greedy! Though perhaps an understandable and very parental imposition, it places a limitation, which is precisely what occurs in much of this movie. Characters who inhabit the enchanted woods, such as the sceptical Moonface (Nonso Anozie), Saucepan Man (Dustin Demri-Burns) and Dame Washalot (Jessica Gunning), still come to vibrant life, but there is absolutely room for greater eccentricity and dare in production and costume design, and in directing, than executed.

While one of my criticisms of the film is its restraining of its own capabilities, ironically, one aspect that ultimately needed restraint is the acting performances! It unfortunately occurs too often that various members of the cast overplay their characters. That said, it is a very appealing ensemble present here and there does remain plenty of fun to be had with them. For me, Nicola Coughlan as Silky the fairy is the most consistent performer in The Magic Faraway Tree. Jessica Gunning is quite fun too, but as I only very recently watched Netflix’s Baby Reindeer for the first time, I could only see Martha Scott when she was on screen! Jennifer Saunders, as the kids London-based grandmother and Rebecca Ferguson as villain Dame Snap, both appear later in the film and contribute to the fun to be had. Finally, one aspect of the film that is consistent and unrestrained is its decidedly light-hearted tone. Even when briefly bringing Dame Snap into the picture, the tone barely shifts and ensures The Magic Faraway Tree is a pleasant family film.

The Magic Faraway Tree is showing in cinemas across Australia from March 26th, 2026.

Moviedoc thanks VVS Films and Nixco for the invitation to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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