User reviews

I liked this movie, it was nice to see life behind the cameras, gossip and numerous trials and accusations. Navi looks like MJ in certain shots and honestly portrays him but his accent was like "huh"..... is that a British accent??? Other than that Navi was great, this is a difficult person to portray many layers to this magnificent person, Navi does embrace all of MJ, A job well done by Navi. I recommend this movie but it saddens me that MJ filled our life's with music and heart and he was unable to enjoy the simple acts of life with his children. He was a prisoner of his home unable to do anything to go anywhere, so sad. MJ is one of most loved, respected artists and will always be remembered.

Overall an average film at best. I think they left out all kinds of tidbits concerning the last few years of his life. Acting was fairly solid and the guy that played Michael was pretty good. Story could have been deeper though. Anyway would I recommend it? Meh... Take it or leave it.

messy, uneven, poorly edited, at times laughable. honestly I don't know why people are rating this so highly, everything in this film is basic TV Movie fodder especially the script. A subject about MJ should be taken seriously, as it was to a point, but the poor script, the poor direction, and acting from so many actors that I can't really put the fault on them solely, they did after all show up to work! But this actor who plays MJ, Navi, must only work as a MJ impersonator, and not a good one at that, as every time he spoke, his English accent broke through distracting us. Its not his fault either, he ONLY does MJ and can't actually act. This is shocking as England is a place that has amazing talented actors in every show able to do any accent convincingly. Not so here. The production also is at fault, having literally nothing to work with, especially MJ's music, and really only afforded Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative". The editing was literally all over the place, one moment we're sad and stressed then CUT right to the family at a go cart track. I'm not going to give this high marks like everyone else who thought this was an amazing film, they are all misguided. They miss MJ, that's why they rate this so highly. I feel a documentary based on these security guys are what is needed, not a sappy TV movie.

Also, WTF was MJ doing on a 'date' with some girl and couldn't go out into a bar? seriously? so many scenes like that were in the film that take you out of the story its pointless.

Before I talk about this film, let me give it some context by talking about who Michael Jackson was, from a historical perspective.

Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album sold 46 MILLION albums. That's 46 times platinum. Not one. Not ten. 46. There is no album that has come close yet, unless you count his "Bad," which was once the #2 selling album of all time. I once read an article where they interviewed several record executives, on the condition of anonymity, to comment on the top artists in music that year (sometime in the 2010s). It became clear to me that the goal of the record industry is to recreate Michael Jackson. Madonna and Janet are female Michael Jackson. Usher and Chris Brown (before Brown screwed it up) are seen as "Michael Jackson types." So is Justin Timberlake. The Weekend. The whole music business in the latter part of the 20th century, was about trying to recreate Michael Jackson, as many times as it could.

And how did he end up? Penniless and essentially alone, struggling to raise his children, according to this riveting film.

MICHAEL JACKSON: SEARCHING FOR NEVERLAND (Dianne Houston, 2017) struck me as a heartbreaking chronicle of a person living strictly off of his fame, but unlike Kim Kardashian or Donald Trump, not being rewarded for it, just using it to survive. Told through the eyes of his personal bodyguards and assistants in the waning years of his life (Chad L. Coleman and Sam Adegoke), Michael Jackson (Navi) struggles to find a home where he can safely live with his children (Aidan Hanlon Smith, Taegen Burns, Michael Mourra) without having to dodge his agents, his fans, maniacal detractors, stalkers, and even his own family, all either trying to live off or destroy him. Throughout all of this, his bodyguards faithfully stay by his side out of pity, even when the money dries up and their own families doubt their sanity for staying so long in a job that simply doesn't pay. I feel the film makes it very clear that Jackson truly was a prisoner of his own success, long after he had stopped being successful. More oddity than King of Pop, the Michael Jackson of MICHAEL JACKSON: SEARCHING FOR NEVERLAND is a broken and tragic figure, buoyed by the love of his children and the last two people who seemed to care. For as the film notes in its final moments, for all the people that spoke highly of him at and after his funeral, no one was there when Jackson died, nor were there for him while he was going through it, struggling to raise his children as any single father might. To the film's credit, I felt it did a good job of showing Michael as flawed, even culpable for his own condition, but hardly deserving of what he got. I feel that it isn't the Michael Jackson story for the casual fan, rather it's a cautionary tale for those seeking to be the Michael Jackson of the future. Despite a performance by Navi that did leave something to be desired (he clearly had a British accent, doing what I felt was at best an adequate job of representing Michael), I personally feel that it effectively humanizes an individual considered a legend in his own time, and serves as a powerful commentary on the cult of celebrity. For me, MICHAEL JACKSON: SEARCHING FOR NEVERLAND is moving, mesmerizing, and difficult to forget.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Navi was outstanding in his acting debut as Michael and was more realistic than many others I've seen in other documentaries etc. The story line was great. It was lovely to see the relationship between Michael and his security. It was also great to see Michaels sense of humour as well as his vulnerability. Navi's portrayal of the vulnerable and upset Michael was touching and brought a tear to my eyes. His relationship with his children was amazing and his protectiveness towards them. I would love to see Hollywood produce a blockbuster movie on MJ now. You have the best actor for the part as his singing and dancing is second to none and it's difficult to tell the difference between Michael and Navi if you are just listening to the track. This film was more of a success for the USA than many others about Michael. You've found your Michael in Navi. Let us all relive the King of Pop through him.

This was so terribly ridiculous.. i can't even.. from acting to script to editing... i don't know what to say... again... i give 3 stars bc this project created 'jobs' ..but nothing else really...

"Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland" is a TV movie that provides an intimate glimpse into the last two years of Michael Jackson's life. Directed by Dianne Houston, the film is based on the best-selling book "Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days," as told through the eyes of Jackson's trusted bodyguards, Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard.

Here's what makes it noteworthy:

Devotion to His Children: The movie reveals firsthand the devotion Michael Jackson had to his children. Despite his fame and eccentricities, he was deeply committed to being a loving father.

We witness the challenges he faced during this tumultuous period.

Hidden Drama and Struggles: Beyond the glitz and glamour, the film delves into the hidden drama. It sheds light on the complexities of Jackson's personal life, including his relationships and health.

The portrayal is both compassionate and candid.

Chad L. Coleman as Bill Whitfield: Chad L. Coleman delivers a compelling performance as Bill Whitfield, one of Jackson's bodyguards. His perspective provides insight into the man behind the legend.

The film humanizes Jackson, showing his vulnerabilities and struggles.

Nondumiso Tembe as Grace Rwaramba: Nondumiso Tembe portrays Grace Rwaramba, Jackson's longtime personal assistant. Her loyalty and dedication to him are central to the narrative.

Their relationship adds depth to the story.

Emotional Impact: "Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland" isn't just about the King of Pop; it's about the toll fame takes on an individual.

The film invites viewers to see beyond the headlines and remember the man who touched millions with his music.

In summary, this TV movie offers a balanced portrayal of Michael Jackson-a mix of admiration, compassion, and scrutiny. It's a poignant tribute to an iconic artist and a reminder of the complexities of fame.

This was unbelievable. Navi is not only amazing on stage but also a very good actor. I can't get over how realistic the film feels. It was very interesting and upsetting to know what happened on Michael Jacksons final days. I've seen Navi twice and he's so good but doing Searching for Neverland also shows how talented he is. He should be so proud

This was by far the best documentary film about Michael Jackson yet! The story was phenomenal! It made be start to draw a tear in my eye when I saw Navi as Michael Jackson for the first time. It made me feel like Michael really is back but at the same time he wasn't :-( There was a lot of great acting in it! The kids however, that took the role to play as Prince, Paris, and Blanket did a wonderful job! I literally cried at the end of the film. It was such a great movie that I'd like to give it more than ten stars, more like ten million stars!

Thought that this was going to be another one of those "let's trash the legend" stories but was pleasantly surprised at how good this poignant portrayal was told through the eyes of Michael Jackson's security guards. It shows a sometimes naïve man who is a prisoner of his own celebrity, someone who goes to bizarre lengths to protect his children. Both joyful and sad, this movie of the last years of Michael's life is well worth a view and not just for for Michael Jackson fans.

This TV movie provides a great insight of the unknown years of Michael Jackson's life, great watch highly recommend

Excellent portrayal of Michael by Navi and good to see another side of the story. Brilliant actors cast throughout. So lovely to have more of an in sight about the sad times and the good times of Michael's life. If your a Michael Jackson fan this is a must watch. The scenes with the children were very real to watch and the bond portrayed between the bodyguards and Michael was very believable. I enjoyed every minute of this movie. It has to be one of the best and most true portrayals of Michael's last year's alive.

I Loved this film, all the actors were great in it, but Navi was Absolutely Amazing as Michael. It is a wonderful film, that I will never forget. It is a mesmerizing and beautiful film showing how Michael was with his children. I think the bodyguards story of their friendship with Michael and caring about him, and showing Michael's love for his children is poignant and it should have been made into a film for the cinema.

There have been various films, documentaries plus many other types of media endeavours (and there probably are more to come still), but this touching biopic is of different class. With a screenplay based on the book (Remember the time - Protecting Michael Jackson in his final days) written by Michael's most devoted bodyguards Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard, the very few people who stood by him unconditionally, the movie brings soul-stirring insight into Michael's life mainly as a father. 

Masterfully directed by Dianne Houston and with Suzanne de Passe (whom worked with Michael since he was only the wonder baby brother of the Jackson 5) as one of the executive producers, the talented entire team, from actors and all behind the cameras to lights, wardrobe, makeup and hair, has uniquely managed to recreate all the Michael Jackson magic without using any original piece of his work or otherwise related.  Not only a wonderful performance from Chad Coleman, who seemed to me was playing the actual main character telling a most moving story about the greatest entertainer of all times and Navi breathtakingly playing Michael Jackson, but all the actors did a fabulous job of their role.

The end result is a great movie that takes us on a very emotional journey, soulfully and skilfully depicted. I feel is a loving, respectful tribute to Michael, but also a way for every Michael Jackson fan to grieve on a more profound level and hopefully get closure. An opportunity for anyone to learn and understand that unprecedented success comes only with tremendous effort and hard work, that the price of fame can be life threatening. Last but not least, that celebrities too are only human beings who can get easily hurt, even permanently damaged, just like we all can and that they need and deserve same level of respect and privacy everyone else does in order to feel safe and help them function properly.

Michael Jackson was a good man with a good heart. The media and the gullible people that believe everything they hear on the fake news killed this good, innocent man. No wonder he couldn't sleep with all the uneducated idiots cutting him down and threatening him and his children. What a terrible loss. Ever notice that it's the poor kids/families that claim to have been violated by MJ? Macaulay Caulkin and Corey Feldman said he was very polite and never did anything to them. Don't people realize all these greedy lying losers wanted was MJ's money? And if you actually pay attention to their stories they keep crossing lines because they are LYING! There is a YouTube video that points out the lies where one minute the mother and child lie about The Grand Canyon. Years ago they said the child went to The Grand Canyon with his family, now after several years they forgot what they said and now in Finding Neverland they say the child had stayed with MJ. That's what happens when you lie. MJ is innocent and was an excellent entertainer that young and old alike all loved and enjoyed his talent. I was there, I seen it. Everyone loved Michael Jackson and he deserves to be remembered as the King of Pop. May he Rest in peace. 🙏

Sad movie. Still waiting for a perfect movie on Michael. With only Truth of his life.

Literally this whole movie potrayed MJ the best way ever possible, the haters are going to hate, because they suck and dont know anything about MJ. They are just here to ruin fun for people. I totally recommend watching this movie. Dont listen to the haters. Its what their mom told them

I really enjoyed this movie, the dude portraying MJ did a really good job!!