Grade: A-
In a Nutshell: This is an absolutely lovely film that
wraps a perfect Disney bow around your heart.
It’s the untold back-story of how the beloved movie Mary Poppins
came to be. Walt Disney is vividly brought to
life by two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks. Until now, very few fans knew that Disney spent
20 years trying to convince the curmudgeonly author of the Mary Poppins
books to allow him to turn her stories into the iconic film that we all adore today. The fantastic Emma Thompson, also a two-time
Oscar winner perfectly portrays P.L. Travers, the author who struggles with her
hidden fears and the ghosts of her past and who is the one who ultimately saves
Mr. Banks in the end. Hopefully, this should be
Emma Thompson’s third well-deserved Academy win…
came to be. Walt Disney is vividly brought to
life by two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks. Until now, very few fans knew that Disney spent
20 years trying to convince the curmudgeonly author of the Mary Poppins
books to allow him to turn her stories into the iconic film that we all adore today. The fantastic Emma Thompson, also a two-time
Oscar winner perfectly portrays P.L. Travers, the author who struggles with her
hidden fears and the ghosts of her past and who is the one who ultimately saves
Mr. Banks in the end. Hopefully, this should be
Emma Thompson’s third well-deserved Academy win…
Uplifting theme: This spoonful of sugar touched a
sensitive spot on aging Baby Boomers in the audience who cried like babies in
the end. (weak grin) While P.L. Travers reviews in her mind the
tormented life of her charming father’s addictions, she too is caged by her
personal demons. SPOILER ALERT: It wasn’t
until Walt Disney and P.L. Travers chose
to change their painful childhood memories, focusing on the good and allowing
the anger to melt away, that Mr. Banks was saved. We would be wise to do the
same.
Things I liked: While her prickly personality battles
against the Disney machine during the day, she cuddles with the soft mouse at
night in her hotel room. I loved the
moment when a giant Mickie Mouse offers to escort a hesitant P.L. Travers into
the debut screening of the movie. An
underused gem, I loved Bradley Whitford in “The West Wing” and “The Good Guys”,
so it was great to see him again. The
handsome Colin Farrell and talented character actor Paul Giamatti added nicely
to the star-studded cast.
Things I didn’t like: The medicine that was spoon-fed included
a dose of Disney branding that was a bit self-serving on the eve of the
half-century anniversary of Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Edition
, albeit clever marketing. I was surprised to learn that P.L. Travers
didn’t want actor Dick Van Dyke in the Mary Poppins
movie…I LOVE him and thought he was truly magical in the film!
, albeit clever marketing. I was surprised to learn that P.L. Travers
didn’t want actor Dick Van Dyke in the Mary Poppins
movie…I LOVE him and thought he was truly magical in the film!
Funny line: Walt
Disney says to P.L. Travers who sits awkwardly on a carousel “I had a wager I
couldn’t get you on a ride. I just won
twenty bucks!” The author of a
children’s book about a flying nanny ironically questions Disney by asking
“Where is the gravitas?”
Insightful quotes:
“Live a life that isn’t dictated by the past.” - Disney
“We restore order with imagination.” - Disney
“A leisurely stroll is a gift.” Ralph
“A mouse is family.”
- Disney
“This world is just an illusion.” - Robert Goff Travers
Things to look for:
* Notice who says “Don’t leave me”, “Never. I promise” and how it is fulfilled.
* Apparently, Walt Disney smoked like a chimney and was rarely seen without a cigarette. It was decided in this movie to remove that portrayal, but there is one quick mention of it when Walt, himself, stamps out a cigarette to protect the children’s sensitive eyes.
* Notice who says “Don’t leave me”, “Never. I promise” and how it is fulfilled.
* Apparently, Walt Disney smoked like a chimney and was rarely seen without a cigarette. It was decided in this movie to remove that portrayal, but there is one quick mention of it when Walt, himself, stamps out a cigarette to protect the children’s sensitive eyes.
Tips for parents: Saving Mr. Banks
is a bit slow-moving for children, without big action scenes to make up for
it. While it is about Walt Disney’s
magical world, the film is more about character development and the magic of
creating one’s future, rather than dwelling on the past.
Interesting books to read on the subject:
How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life
The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney
is a bit slow-moving for children, without big action scenes to make up for
it. While it is about Walt Disney’s
magical world, the film is more about character development and the magic of
creating one’s future, rather than dwelling on the past. Interesting books to read on the subject:
How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life
Mary Poppins - The Complete Collection
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