Simon Farnaby has worked his magic on British classics before with Paddington 2 and Wonka, turning them into movies that the whole family can enjoy. Even on the small screen, he’s become as close to a sure thing at providing enjoyment for all ages with the likes of Horrible Histories and Ghosts (which he also co-created).
Now he’s turned his attention to Enid Blyton’s book series The Magic Faraway Tree, which was previously adapted into a 13-part animated TV series in 1997. The movie version follows Polly (Claire Foy) and Tim Thompson (Andrew Garfield) who move to the countryside with their three children, leading to a magical discovery that could just change their family for the better.
If The Magic Faraway Tree doesn’t quite hit the same level of perfection as Paddington 2 (a near-impossible feat, to be fair to him), then Farnaby has still delivered a wholesome, funny and sweet fantasy comedy that is the ideal family watch this Easter at the cinema.
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Largely drawing from the first two books, The Magic Faraway Tree follows the three Thompson children – Fran (Billie Gadsdon), Beth (Delilah Bennett-Cardy) and Joe (Phoenix Laroche) – as they discover the magical titular tree and its various residents, including Silky (Nicola Coughlan) and Moonface (Nonso Anozie).
Shortly after the family arrives in Netherbridge, Fran is invited by Silky to visit the tree, while her siblings are busy sulking about the limited WiFi in the countryside. Fran soon manages to drag Beth and Joe to the tree, and the trio head on adventures to fantastical lands including the Land of Goodies (where every kind of sweet is available to enjoy) and the Land of Birthdays (where your one wish can come true).
If you’re looking for a narrative thrust, you won’t find it here, but you will find an impressive supporting cast including Mark Heap, Lenny Henry and Michael Palin popping up for eccentric cameos as the children visit each land.
The plot, such as it is, revolves around whether or not Tim can manage to launch his own pasta sauce, leading to late-stage drama over a failed crop. But really, The Magic Faraway Tree is more about whimsical vibes and a timely anti-technology message that should please any parent watching.
Farnaby’s script doesn’t ever quite match the heights of brilliant smart-fridge and WiFi gags in the first act, but it does provide the talented cast with plenty of scope to just be charming and engaging. A perfectly-cast Nicola Coughlan is the stand-out of the extraordinary residents of the magical tree, while Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy manage to keep the movie on the right side of twee.
That tweeness comes closest during a final-act musical performance, but it’s to the young cast’s credit that you find it endearing rather than cloying. We’re not talking the emotional hit of “Happy birthday Aunt Lucy” here, yet The Magic Faraway Tree is so warm-hearted that you’ll find yourself invested in whether the Thompson children can rescue their dad’s tomatoes.
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There’s no need to have any knowledge of Blyton’s book series to enjoy The Magic Faraway Tree either. You’ll miss out appreciating the modern tweaks that Farnaby has brought to the adaptation, including a fun nod to the name change of Dame Snap (an under-used Rebecca Ferguson) from her original name of Dame Slap, but Farnaby has ensured newcomers young and old can find something to enjoy.
It won’t be spoken about as a British classic in the same vein as the Paddington movies, but The Magic Faraway Tree has plenty of charm to ensure that when it inevitably pops up on TV in the coming years, you’ll probably stick around to watch it.
The Magic Faraway Tree is out now in cinemas.
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Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.