The greatest garden we can ever plant is the garden of hope inside another person. Such is the timeless theme presented by “Finding Neverland,” one of the rare films that actually invokes a true and honest sense of magic.

Appealing to both adults and children alike, this film is about the greatest commodity a human being could ever possess – the power of imagination.

Featuring angelic performances by a dream cast of Kate Winslett and Johnny Depp, “Finding Neverland” depicts playwright J.M. Barrie’s (Depp) journey of the heart as he befriends a widow (Winslett) and her precocious brood of sons who, in turn, inspire him to create Peter Pan.

In a day of electronic push-button instant gratification, it is so easy to forget a time when human beings could actually interact on a variety of planes. Barrie inspires the young family to gleefully take flights of creative fancy and, in the process, learn to heal and inspire hope. The film also bravely shows that a man and woman can have a meaningful relationship built upon the platonic ideals of discourse, sharing and sacrifice.

But a big warning: Bring your own personal box of tissues. “Finding Neverland” does turn on the salty factory in a profound way. Now appropriately nominated for Best Picture, it is safe to say “Finding Neverland” is one of the year’s best pictures. Don’t miss this film.

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John Remington teaches drama and language arts at Pendleton High School.