October 18, 2026 – It would be hard to find two more contrasting performances than those given by versatile actor Andrew Garfield in his most recent two films, “The Uprising” and “The Magic Faraway Tree,” which were released within a month of each other this year.

The Uprising is a tragic action drama based on the 1381 Peasant's Revolt in England. Garfield plays a downcast, sad, angry man whose family died in a plague and who rebels against unfair government treatment, more out of desperation than hope. In The Magic Faraway Tree, Garfield plays an upbeat, happy, optimistic fellow who believes in the power of positive thinking.

In this charming, magical movie, adapted from Enid Blyton's book series The Faraway Tree, Tim Thompson (Garfield) and his wife, Polly (played by Claire Foy of “First Man”) move from the big city to a farm with their children, Fran (played by Billie Gadsdon), Beth (Delilah Bennett-Cardy) and Joe (Phoenix Laroche).

The reaction of the three children to farm life is very funny, since they are addicted to their video games and phones, and these things don't work in the barn where they now live. It has no running water, electricity or phone signals. They are forced to adapt to the old ways of pre-20th Century life. The reason for this drastic move is that Polly resigned from her lucrative tech job on moral grounds. Living on a farm is an old dream shared by Tim and Polly.

Of the three children, the youngest girl, Fran, is the only one, besides Tim, who seems to adapt well to the family's new living conditions. Early on, Fran encounters a fairy, Silky (Nicola Coughlan of “Barbie”) in the forest and is befriended by her. Fran is invited to visit a magical land hidden inside the Magic Faraway Tree in the enchanted forest near the farm.

Fran visits the magical realm, which is full of wonder, as well as some danger. She tells the rest of the family about her magical encounter, but nobody believes her, except for Tim, who grew up in this area and has some recollection of the enchanted forest. Eventually, Fran's brother and sister see the magic for themselves and embark on their own magical adventures.

The family struggles to adapt to life on the farm. Eventually, the children start helping with the farming, but there are some serious obstacles left to overcome, including magical ones. A fantastic adventure in magical realms will be needed before the end to save the farm.

The acting is very good by all involved. The visual effects and production design are colorful and inviting. For me, this worked as an antidote to the awful things going on in the world these days. It was a wonderful experience to visit a magical land where the moral center is still holding, and things are not falling apart. This movie rates a B.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff (no extra charges apply). I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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