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Peter Pan 2003 - Blog Posts
I think Peter Pan (2003) did the best version of George Darling, especially with regards to the dual-casting tradition.
Not only did it let Jason show off his acting range but the explorations of masculinity were really fascinating to watch. George Darling is a nervous wreck who is constantly trying to prove himself as a 'proper' gentleman. "I must become a man that children fear and adults respect!" While he certainly scared the hell out of Wendy then, she still responded "Father? Brave?" to her mother's claims.
So, when Wendy goes to Neverland, she meets a man who is, as Jason Isaacs said, "strangely alluring yet repulsive at the same time, and looks like her dad". Captain Hook is the nightmare version of Wendy father. He's confident, he's aggressive, and he is a cruel, selfish asshole. But the sad thing is, he'd probably be more respected in Edwardian society than George.
Going back to George, when he finds out his kids are missing he literally sprints home out of pure fear and desperation to bring them back. He ran! That is a HUGE 'proper gentleman' no-no! Then when the kids do come home, he practically knocks himself out sprinting into the nursery and smashing his body against the door frame! He tries to put on the gentlemanly persona. Stiff upper lip, manly-man handshake, keep your emotions buried deep inside... but he can't do that. But that's a good thing! He breaks down, embraces his children, and their family is whole again. Rejecting Edwardian social norms was the right thing to do.
So, what I love about this version of George Darling and Captain Hook is how effectively they portray the best and worst forms of masculinity.
Oh, there, there. It doesn’t have to be this way. Didst thou ever want to be
a pirate, my hearty?