Movie Review: Fairy Tale: A True Story
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What Parents Should Know
Parents should know that wounded soldiers fill the train
station where young Francis meets her relatives. There is some
intense material (e.g. Francis's father is missing in World War
I, but she clings to the belief he will return). Kids will
absorb a bit of 1917 England, and meet historical figures Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini.
Families who see this film might discuss why so many people flocked to the fairyland? What did the fairies mean to them?
Common Sense Media Review
Fairies: A True Story is the historically-based story
of two young girls in 1917 England who claimed to have
photographed fairies, convincing hundreds of their existence,
including the formidable Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. With deft
camera work and riveting acting, the movie captures both the
inventiveness of youth and the eccentricities of history.
The story begins when Francis, whose mother has died and whose soldier father (cameo by Mel Gibson) is missing in World War II, comes to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousin Elsie. The cousins quickly bond over their mutual fairy fascination.
To convince Elsie's parents that fairies exist, Frances borrows her uncle's camera and takes photos of the fairies, which eventually end up in the hands of writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes). When Doyle publishes the photos in his magazine, they create a national sensation. Hundreds of would-be believers flock to the girls' creekside fairyland. The movie simultaneously explores the friendship between Doyle and the magician Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel), a devout skeptic of mediums and spiritualists.
To focus on the question of whether or not the photos are real is to miss the essence of this fascinating story. Much of the movie is based on fact. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle really did publish the fairy photos in his magazine. And in actuality, much later in their lives the girls admitted the photos were frauds. The movie chooses to blur fact and fantasy, taking us into a war-weary England in which everyone would like to believe in, if not see, something magical.
The main characters here aren't deceptive, but pure-hearted, and their fairy friends are authentic as playmates. Both girls have suffered tremendous loss -- Francis's mother is dead and father missing, and Elsie's brother has just died. Whether real or imaginary, the fairies bring them tangible joy.
An opening scene shows Peter Pan on stage, begging the audience to believe in fairies. This is but the first plea. Not only does the movie beg us to believe, but it also populates its world with fairies. The tiny winged creatures are beautiful and swift, and though countless special effects must have been required to bring them to life, technical wizardry never overpowers their grace.
Fantasy worlds and imaginary friends are integral to
childhood, one of the reasons kids will identify with Francis
and Elsie's ability to summon fairies, as well as with their
efforts to persuade adults they exist. Children who enjoy the
fantasy element of this movie may also be interested in
Gulliver's Travels, another story involving little
people.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
