Andrew Garfield, the talented actor known for his roles in films like “The Social Network” and “Spider-Man,” wants us all to take a break from our phones and notice the magic in the world around us. With this idea in mind, he stars in the upcoming family adventure film, “The Magic Faraway Tree.”
The film tells the story of Tim, a stay-at-home dad whose life gets turned upside down when his wife, Polly, decides to leave her job. To adjust to their new life, the family moves to the countryside, where their children stumble upon a magical tree that leads them to different fantastical worlds. This enchanting journey is based on Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s books and hits U.S. theaters on Friday.
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Garfield believes the themes of the movie—nature, imagination, and community—are incredibly relevant today, especially as technology plays a bigger role in our lives. “I think people are craving connection and community and a kind of reconnection to the earth and to each other,” he explained.
His passion for the project grew after reading the screenplay by Simon Farnaby. Garfield expressed his admiration for Farnaby’s unique ability to weave whimsy, heartfelt moments, and joy into the story. “I felt very, very passionate about it,” he added.
Tim’s adventure serves as a reminder to find amazement in our daily lives, even amidst the distractions of modern society. Garfield believes that wonder exists all around us, asserting, “There are so many things to be in awe of on this planet.” The film ultimately conveys that “there’s magic in the ordinary” as well as the extraordinary.
Garfield has always been drawn to roles that highlight playfulness, community, and nature. He emphasizes the importance of staying awake to the connections we share with one another and with the environment. “Anything that keeps me awake to the remembering of the connection that we have to each other, the connection we have to nature, how we are all interconnected,” he shared.
Though Garfield grew up reading Enid Blyton’s “The Famous Five,” he missed out on “The Faraway Tree” series during his childhood. Instead, his mother introduced him to another classic adventurer: Bilbo Baggins from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” “Any underdog story, really, those are the ones that get me,” he reflected.
As a kid, Garfield was also captivated by video stores, fascinated by the countless VHS tapes that held unknown adventures. This curiosity has transitioned into adulthood, as he now enjoys browsing streaming services, often without selecting anything, simply relishing the exploration of different imaginary worlds.
Garfield’s appreciation for nostalgic technology is clear, as he embraces the resurgence of VHS and analog formats among younger audiences. “I dig that,” he said. “The regression to analog is looking good to me.”
