The Magic Faraway Tree Review: A Fresh, Witty Take on Enid Blyton's Classic
At long last, the British public may find a new cinematic obsession beyond the beloved Paddington bear. Simon Farnaby, co-writer of the Paddington films, is crafting his own empire of wholesome whimsy, with spiritual ties to classics like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Following his work on Wonka, Farnaby returns to adapt Enid Blyton's The Faraway Tree series, now titled The Magic Faraway Tree, under the direction of Ben Gregor.
A Modern Whimsy with Literary Roots
Farnaby injects fresh energy and wit into the adaptation, blending the wordplay and low-stakes surrealism from his background in The Mighty Boosh and Horrible Histories with a sharp eye for literary fidelity. He approaches the source material without undue reverence—evident in Wonka's origin story twist—yet maintains a deep respect for the wonder and imagination that transform bedtime tales into enduring classics.
Enid Blyton, one of Britain's most popular yet contentious authors, proves an ideal subject for Farnaby's touch. He preserves the core elements of her post-war four-book series, which adopts a rigidly child-centric worldview. In this rendition, the lush English countryside hides a magical tree inhabited by an eccentric cast: Moonface (Nonso Anozie) with his crescent hair, the fairy Silky (a luminous Nicola Coughlan), the cheerful laundress Dame Washalot (Jessica Gunning), the Don Quixote-esque Saucepan Man (Dustin Demri-Burns), the forgetful Mr. Watzisname (Oliver Chris), and the tiny Angry Pixie (Hiran Abeysekera).
Gateway to Fantastical Worlds
This magical tree serves as a portal to other realms, where children's wildest dreams—like an endless supply of sweets—clash with their deepest fears, such as the stern headmistress Dame Snap, played by a sneering Rebecca Ferguson. Ann Maskrey's oversized costumes and Alexandra Walker's playful sets create a sense of joyous abandon, complemented by Isabella Summers's heart-swelling score. The film features quirky elements like French disco elves and an office reminiscent of Twin Peaks's Red Room.
Leaving Regressive Ideas Behind
Farnaby wisely discards Blyton's more outdated notions and the simplistic outlook of her original stories, which often prioritized playtime fantasies over moral lessons. In this version, child protagonists Beth (Delilah Bennett-Cardy), Fran (Billie Gadsdon), and Joe (Phoenix Laroche) are raised by two exceptional parents, Polly and Tim, portrayed by Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield.
Tim, a stay-at-home dad, embodies a manic pixie dream boy archetype, allowing Garfield to exude boundless energy. Polly, a smart fridge designer, quits her job over privacy concerns, kickstarting the plot. Foy balances authority with frenetic charm, avoiding a humourless portrayal. Both parents are fun and eccentric, grappling with their children's screen-dominated childhoods.
Bridging Classic and Contemporary Themes
The tech angle yields brilliant gags, such as Farnaby's cameo as a farmer confusing "WiFi" for "wife, aye." This approach seamlessly tethers Blyton's work to a modern context, feeling regenerative rather than dismissive. It underscores that there's more to family cinema than just Paddington, offering a vibrant alternative.
Directed by Ben Gregor and starring Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, and a talented ensemble, The Magic Faraway Tree is a U-certificate film running 110 minutes, set for release in cinemas from 27 March.
