‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’ Trailer Belies Film’s Darker Undertones

Kim Taylor-Foster
Movies
Movies

Winnie the Pooh has featured many times in screen versions of A.A. Milne’s much-loved books about the famous bear who loves honey, and his adventures with his friends. One of whom is Christopher Robin. But now there’s a live-action film exploring the real-life Christopher Robin, who inspired his namesake – the character conceived by his author father.

The first trailer for the film, called Goodbye Christopher Robin, shows a post-war Britain and suggests that A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories came along and lifted the nation’s – the world’s, even  – spirits in the wake of World War I. The trailer also shows Milne, played by Star Wars actor Domhnall Gleeson, as taking inspiration for his stories from his son and his toys. Toys that include Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger. However, the implication is that there was a cost to the family for Winnie the Pooh’s success.

Domhnall Gleeson in Goodbye Christopher Robin
A.A. Milne's son, Christopher Robin, provided inspiration for his Winnie the Pooh stories

Goodbye Christopher Robin lifts the lid on the behind-the-scenes story of A.A. Milne’s life – and though the trailer may be uplifting, the official Fox Searchlight synopsis reveals that a darker picture emerged behind the success. Here’s that synopsis:

A rare glimpse into the relationship between beloved children’s author A. A. Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) and his son Christopher Robin, whose toys inspired the magical world of Winnie the Pooh. Along with his mother Daphne (Margot Robbie), and his nanny Olive, 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?

Aside from Gleeson and Suicide Squad’s Margot Robbie, Goodbye Christopher Robin also stars Kelly MacDonald as Olive. This film hits screens on September 29, 2017 in the UK and October 13 in the US.

Kim Taylor-Foster
Kim Taylor-Foster is Entertainment Editor for Fandom in the UK. She was raised on an unsteady diet of video nasties and violent action flicks.