I can tell you hated the movie, but I think Johnny Depp simply played Mr. Barrie the way he was written in the screenplay. I never thought about the cruelty you speak of or the very complex personality he had, I was just fascinated by the storyline as I was unaware at the time of all the other parts of the story. Since reading Andrew's wonderful book, and watching TLB mini series several times, I can see the story was very, very incomplete. But, at the same time, it sparked my interest and for that I am thankful. I have learned so much since digging a little deeper.