Los Angeles, CA – Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy lead a charming adaptation of Enid Blyton’s beloved Faraway Tree stories, now playing in theatres. The film, directed by Ben Gregor, is a spiritual reimagining of the series that captures the gentle humour, vivid imagination, and quiet wonder of the books. It offers a chance to slide down the Slippery Slip and revisit the weird and wonderful lands atop the tree, with a cast and production design that bring the magic to life.
The story follows Tim (Garfield) and Polly (Foy) Thompson, who move to the country with their three children, Beth, Joe, and Fran. While Beth and Joe are addicted to their screens, Fran is the dreamer who discovers a whole new world in the Enchanted Wood. The film departs from the books in expected ways—Moonface (Nonso Anozie) is not as imagined, but Saucepan Man (Dustin Demri-Burns) is exactly right. Nicola Coughlan is delightful as Silky, the non-winged fairy, and Rebecca Ferguson is a hoot as Dame Snap, whose name has been updated from Dame Slap. The palette walks the line between reality and fantasy, with nice touches like a talking toothbrush warning against cavities in the Land of Goodies.
The cast draws us into the magical world with spirited performances. Garfield and Foy are the kind of storybook parents any child would love. There is enough to engage and delight Blyton devotees, while the whimsy and charm will welcome those unfamiliar with the books. The film’s gentle humour, vivid imagination, and quiet wonder make it irresistible, and with sequels on the horizon, the magic is set to continue.
