Sometimes, we all need a little magic.
Based on the worldwide best-selling novel, The Magic Faraway Tree tells the story of Tim and Polly Thompson and their three children as they’re forced to relocate from the big city to a remote village. Moving into an old country home can be difficult for any family, especially when technology is left in the dust. However, things begin to change when the children discover a mysterious tree in the forest. As they climb to impossible heights, they discover enchanted inhabitants who have the ability to transport them to fantastical worlds. With each journey into the unknown, the children (and the family as a whole) begin to reconnect with one another in ways that may be more magical than the worlds themselves.
Directed by Ben Gregor, The Magic Faraway Tree is charming children’s entertainment that reminds them of the value of whimsy. Based on Enid Blyton’s classic series, this is a story that taps into the spirit of 90s children’s fare by bringing fantasy elements into the real world. Determined to imbue the film with a sense of wonder, Gregor does a solid job creating his worlds with lush physical sets. Great detail is invested in bringing these spaces to life as children interact with the practical but view it as mystical (For example, it’s worth noting that the land of candy was built to be entirely edible.) In doing so, Faraway Tree manages to make the best use of its magical world, keeping spaces feeling surprisingly grounded as opposed to more lucrative CGI environments.
Undoubtedly though, it’s Garfield and Foy who help this Tree stand strong. As Tim and Polly, the duo creates an enchanting dynamic between the two of them. Foy’s Polly is a strong, confident woman, responsible for being the creative force behind their new home and providing an incredible example for their children. She’s smart, savvy and yet entirely committed to her family.
Meanwhile, as Tim, Garfield is allowed to demonstrate his charm to its fullest. There’s a playfulness about his stay-at-home dad that consistently sparkles onscreen. However, whether he’s trying to inspire his children to believe in enchantment or attempting to bring the family together, he never comes across as aloof or childish. Instead, he simply provides an endearing presence, bounding around the screen with earnest emotion.
And that sense of wonder is essential to Faraway Tree. Gregor understands the psychological importance that belief in imaginative play has within our world. After all, Tim and Polly’s children here seem to only find solace in the resetting of the WIFI. Locked into their screens with (familiar) addiction, they believe that real connection takes place online and they are desperate to have that restored. But after that’s taken away and they discover the titular Tree, they discover the possibility of something wonderful that they’ve been missing. Suddenly, their hearts come alive at the possibility of the mysterious.
In this way, Gregor highlights the value that genuine play and belief have in a world focused on tangible problems and technology. The more that they discover about the world they don’t know helps revive the way that they view the world that they do know. In other words, every experience that they have in the world of dreams helps them rebalance their lives at home. With every encounter with their fairy-tale land, the more hopeful the children become. Their ability to play, create and dream meets their unspoken need hold fast to a piece of their childhood while they also grow and mature.
In short, “play is plenty,” as Tom says succinctly.
Admittedly, this magical experience doesn’t always feel so whimsical. Despite the joy embedded in the work of Garfield, Foy and the children, other performances tend to come off more wooden, taking the viewer out of the moment. As a result, while the film is delightful and heart-warming, there are scenes that will likely feel more amusing to younger viewers than they will older teens or parents.
However, despite its flaws, credit must be given to Gregor for taking every opportunity to make this film feel like a fairy-tale brought to life. Blessed with strong work from his leads, Gregor’s Faraway Tree has a message worth hearing, even if it doesn’t always make us feel like we’ve been transported to another world.
The Magic Faraway Tree is available in theatres on Friday, August 21st, 2026.
