Fairy Tale: A True Story (1997)

Directed by Charles Sturridge. Starring Florence Hoath, Elizabeth Earl, Peter O’Toole, Bill Nighy, Harvey Keitel, Phoebe Nicholls, Tim McInnerny, Paul McGann, Don Henderson, Anton Lesser, Isabel Rocamora. [PG]

During the first World War in rural England, two girls take photographs of fairies and swear they’re the real deal. Naysayers decrying trickery are prevalent, including a snooty cynic of a reporter (McInnerny) and spiritualism-denier Harry Houdini (Keitel), but elderly writer Arthur Conan Doyle (O’Toole) believes they are genuine. Charming, atmospheric movie based on a true story (it’s right there in the subtitle, innit?), with genial performances and a gossamer touch to counterbalance the darker, harsher elements, such as children dealing with war and death. Marred by overreach (e.g, there’s no real purpose or payoff to an apparition in the girls’ home), but shrewd in the way it subtly deconstructs myths without demonizing anyone or refuting all forms of magic and wonder. A rare film aimed at both children and adults that will appeal to the latter more…especially those who are young at heart. Mel Gibson makes a cameo appearance as the “missing” father of one of the girls; the production company he co-founded, Icon, produced the picture.

74/100