Written by Wayne Townsend
Winnie the Pooh’s human best friend is all grown up and has lost his way. That is the plot
of the 2018 Disney film Christopher Robin starring Ewan McGregor in the titular role. The
movies’ opening montage starts with Robin’s going away party from the Hundred Arce Wood,
still a boy, thrown by Pooh and the others. In case you’ve forgotten, they are in no particular
order, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and drum roll please, Tigger. It then shows his move
from the cottage to boarding school, through college, his marriage, his induction into the British
army during WWII, his return and his settlement at his job, head of the efficiency department at
an upscale luggage company, whew! Don’t fret, Pooh Bear is still front and center with his
overly simplistic, common sense approach to life. Pooh’s observations are well timed and
poignant. Pooh is Socrates and Aristotle rolled into one, with a hint of Confucius sprinkled in, all
with a rim of honey around his mouth. I state this with the utmost respect. I wish I could see life
through the eyes of the sage that is Pooh. These musing from Pooh are the heart and soul of the
film. Pooh displays an unwavering loyalty and devotion to his friend. Robin continuously
thwarts Pooh’s attempt to reconnect with the friend who has forgotten him, and it is painful to
watch. Pooh is confused by Robin’s reluctance to help him find the rest of the crew, but his
belief in his trusted friend allows him to accept it. Being the friend that he is, Pooh tries to
understand Robin’s constant references to his need to be an adult and “get back to important
things.” When Pooh asks “are your papers more important than balloons,” the facial expression
on McGregor as he answers with a hesitant “yes” is heartbreaking. The third act has the
obligatory action sequence, as the crew from the woods navigate the streets of London in a race
against time. The change in pacing was needed to give the audience a chance to catch their
collective breath, as up until this point in the film the heartstrings are stretched to the point of
fraying. By doing so director Marc Foster loses the emotional momentum the first two-thirds of
the film created. This is not a great film, and I would be remiss in my duty by not stating this.
However, if you want to see a story about the loyalty of friendship and the unbreakable bound
forged by faith in that friendship, bring your tissues and enjoy. 4 out of 5. Sue me.