Movie review: "Goodbye Christopher Robin" (2017)

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Winnie the Pooh is universally regarded as the most beloved children’s book of all time and predates Mickey Mouse as the world’s first merchandizing bonanza. Today, Winnie the Pooh is second only to Mickey Mouse in terms of generating profits to the tune of $5-6 billion annually. Disney now completely owns the rights. The world of the One Hundred Acre Wood was created by British writer A.A. Milne and the creation and after effects are explored in “Goodbye Christopher Robin” directed by Simon Curtis. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) was a troubled WW1 veteran suffering PTSD and obsessed over stopping war. His wife Daphne (Margot Robbie) is rather cold enjoying the social swirl his success as a comedy playwright brings. There is the suggestion she suffered some sort of postpartum depression following the birth of Christopher Robin known as Billy Moon. Seeking quiet to write his opus calling for the end to all war, Milne uproots his family to the country to Daphne’s chagrin. Billy Moon (Will Tilston) is devoted to his Nanny Olivia (Kelly Macdonald) because his parents pay little attention to him as they are both self absorbed. Things change when the unhappy Daphne departs for London and nanny leaves to care for her dying mum. Father and son forge a bond in the woods leading to the creation of Winnie the Pooh. The primary thrust of the film are the affects of fame. The impact of Winnie the Pooh is instant and sensational catapulting the Milnes and even Nanny to “stardom.” Christopher Robin cannot go anywhere without being recognized. Milne exploits his son who seems to like the attention. However, circumstances boil over to the point of Milne realizing he has been wrong using his son as a marketing tool and vows never to write another Winnie the Pooh. Christopher Robin is sent to boarding school where his real hell begins as he is bullied through to army boot camp in WW2 and this leaves him bitter. He would never accept a cent of the phenomenal profits. There is a somewhat happy ending that is contrary to what really happened. Winnie the Pooh negatively colored the remainder of their lives. For instance, Daphne refused to speak to her son the last 15 years of her life. “Goodbye Christopher Robin” is well written and acted particularly by young Tilston. The film is interesting in learning about the development of one of literature’s most famous characters and being an intriguing portrait at the trappings of fame long before social media.