Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

Now we all know the story of Mary Poppins, its charming, delightful and most warming feeling shaped much of our childhood, but do we know the true Mary Poppins. Saving Mr. Banks, is that of moving. Emma Thompson (P.L. Travers) knows how to play a stern, strict woman, who is stil stuck with her childhood and doesn’t want to let go. P.L. Travers herself was that of a cow. Mary Poppins was one of the most loved and cherished books of that time (1964). Almost every child and adult had read it, so of course Walt Disney wanted to get his hands on it. But Mrs. Travers was having none of it. With a 20 year long agreement, it’s a marvel the film was ever made. In his quest to obtain the rights to the novel, Walt Disney comes up against a strong willed unstoppable force, who will not give her beloved nanny be destroyed by the glam of Hollywood. Armed with artistic storyboards, chirpy songs and animated penguins Walt had the whole story set, but this was far the Mary Poppins Mrs Travers had envisioned. With her tape recorder, strict rules and honestly depressing personality, it’s a wonder how the film is what it is. So what is the true story behind Mary Poppins?

This film was an emotional rollercoaster, hatred boiling inside you, tears welling up in your eyes and laughter echoing through your stomach. This film, like any other has good and bad points but I can strongly say that this film really made my evening. The casting was perfect and I feel like there really could’ve been no better people for the job. Emma Thompson, known for being a stern and powerful actress, fits the role of P.L. Travers perfectly. Making sure that she gave the infamous P.L. Travers that of a heart but yet stern enough that she would frighten many. Tom Hanks as Walt Disney was beautiful. If Tom Hanks was Walt Disney in real life then I’m sure the world would be a highly better place. His charming and loveable character works so well with the purity of Disney himself. The film itself was beautifully shot and the true love of Disney was captured in the delightful country of Australia. Although the film was made in 2013, it represented the time of 1960’s incredibly, it felt like you were there in that time, watching it all unravel.

In some ways this film connected to me in a sweet way. Having watched Mary Poppins as a child (and obviously falling in love with it) this attached to me in the best way possible. I felt like a child watching this again, it made me feel innocent and sweet. This film was an emotional rollercoaster, I was laughing at the strict humour of P.L. Travers, smiling at the beauty of Disney’s love for Mary Poppins and crying at the torturous past of Travers and all she went through until the end. I recommend this film to anyone who wants to feel like a child again and relive those moments when you first discovered Mary Poppins. This, of course is for all ages but of course you must have seen Mary Poppins before viewing this film.

This film overall was calming, peaceful and enjoyable beyond belief. A film for cold evenings and wrapped up warm inside.