Goodbye Christopher Robin offers up a rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children’s author A. A. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) and his son Christopher Robin (Will TIlston), whose toys inspired the magical world of Winnie-the-Pooh.
The film is directed by Simon Curtis and opens in select cities on October 13. This past week, I attended a Q&A Session with the Director Simon Curtis.
Director Simon Curtis and Will Tilston on the set of GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN. Photo by David Appleby. © 2017 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved
Interview with Goodbye Christopher Robin
Director Simon Curtis
No surprise that both my daughter and I are fans of Winnie The Pooh. And if you are like us, you probably don’t know that much about the history of those iconic characters and how the book came to be.
As a parent, I think you love a book from when you were a child and want to pass on that love to your own child which is why I was intrigued by the entire back story of Goodbye Christopher Robin.
Director Simon Curtis offered up what it was like to have filmed the movie where author A.A. Milne and his son would have walked during the son’s youth which eventually inspired the author to write Winnie the Pooh.
Those scenes resonated for me because while I don’t have a huge backyard or meadow to walk with my daughter, I do have fond memories of taking my daughter to school when she was Christopher Robin’s age. Kids at that age are so talkative and inquisitive that it makes for funny memories years later. The difference is that Milne and his son’s experiences brought us Winnie The Pooh.
It was meaningful for us to go back.” And yes “that rock they are sitting on is the rock that A.A. Milne and his son would sit on. It is the 100 acre woods.”- Simon Curtis
Domhnall Gleeson and Will Tilston in the film GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN. Photo by David Appleby. © 2017 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved
While I love action pictures, I think I am constantly on the look out for movies that both my daughter and I will enjoy. For this reason, I loved that Curtis was so honest about why he chose to do the movie
I just loved the script when I read it. So many films in this day and age are absolutely about nothing and this seemed to about so much.”
My parents are no longer with us and my siblings live far away but Curtis spoke with clarity and honesty about the importance of family quoting the nanny Olive (Kelly Macdonald.)
Pay attention to the people who are around you as they are not going to be around forever.”
Totally agree that her comment is a good reminder to us all to value the time we have family and friends. I certainly hope my teen daughter absorbed her comment.
I think that today’s audiences will find it fascinating to see a glimpse of English family life right after WWI and what life was like for children of the upper classes.
I think as a parent I am certainly happy, life is not like that anymore. Curtis mentioned a friend who only remembers his mother touching him only once.
It was perfectly natural to hand your kids off to the nanny on day one and then ship them off to boarding school at 8″
I don’t know if I agree but his comment was “that is why England is a mess.”
Will Tilston in the film GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN. Photo by David Appleby. © 2017 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved
Fun fact – Christopher Robin’s stuffed animals are on display at the New York Public Library. Who knew??
ABOUT GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN -The movie tells the story of writer A.A. Milne’s relationship with his son during the years they lived in the English countryside. Milne wrote Winnie-the-Pooh” and “The House at Pooh Corner” based on his son’s collection of stuffed animals that have gone onto iconic status.
Along with his mother Daphne (Margot Robbie), and his nanny Olive (Kelly Macdonald), Christopher Robin and his family are swept up in the international success of the books; the enchanting tales bringing hope and comfort to England after the First World War. But with the eyes of the world on Christopher Robin, what will the cost be to the family?
GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN opens in select cities on October 13 and will open in additional cities October 20.
Curious, how much do you know about the author of Winnie The Pooh, A.A. Milne or the backstory of the book?
Disclosure: This post was written in partnership with the Role Mommy Writer’s Network. All opinions are 100% my own.
This looks like a great movie…I’m looking forward to seeing it.
What a great interview this is. I am super excited to see this movie. I know I am going to love it.
My kids loved Winnie the Pooh when they were little. My husband does an impressive Winnie and Eeyore – he sounds just like their characters. I’m looking forward to seeing the movie.
I hadn’t heard about this movie before, but it sounds so sweet. I love that they are making a movie about the story behind the story of Winnie the Pooh. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like a movie that will make me cry. I’ll have to be sure to watch it–I’ve always enjoyed Winnie the Pooh.
Didn’t know much about the backstory behind this fave tale of mine. We are looking forward to this weekend’s release of the movie and can’t wait to see it.
Winnie the Pooh has impacted so many children and adult lives. Learning the back story is informative and wonderful.
I love Winnie the Pooh! I am so excited for the debut of this movie. Thanks for sharing
I cannot wait for this movie to come out! this was my go to childhood book and tv show. I still have my stuffed animals
I have always loved Winnie the Pooh. I am looking forward to seeing this movie at some point.
I would love to see this movie. I know very little about Winnie the Pooh but I didn’t know that it was based on adventures from a real child. I would love to hear more of that story.
I loved Winnie the Pooh and my daughter loved him when she was younger. This sounds like such an endearing and interesting movie. Can’t wait to see it.
I have to admit I don’t know a huge amount about the back story of Winnie the Pooh just a few little bits, so I am really looking forward to knowing more through this film.
I can’t wait to see this movie. I love Winnie the Pooh but didn’t know any of the back story.
I love Winnie the Pooh. I know quite a bit about it, but I could always stand to learn more. I need to see this movie.
Winnie the Pooh was such a classic for my generation. I would love to watch this film with the kids.
I had no idea they were making this movie. I am so excited to go see it with my Son.
This interview was amazing! I always love posts like this because it’s so interesting to learn about these people. The movie sounds so cute! I have to check it out.