Movie Review: Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
Who doesn’t love Mary Poppins? The film is the definition of a classic, and if it doesn’t bring a smile on your face, then you’re just not human. “Saving Mr. Banks” aims to tell the story of how Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) was able to acquire the movie rights to Mary Poppins, and while the events have been highly dramatized, the result is an extremely sweet and enjoyable film that is guaranteed to please audiences and bring back some very fond memories. Oh, and the acting is great, to boot.
On the surface, the story chronicles the making of Mary Poppins, as well as the painstaking process it took to bring the book to life while still respecting author P.L. Travers’ (Emma Thompson) original vision. The film also explores what inspired Travers to create Mary Poppins, and gives us a look into her childhood, and the many events that shaped the very woman she became. We get to see the character of Mary Poppins through a wholly different lens, and we understand why she meant so much to Travers, and why she’s remained a cultural icon for all these years.
First off, let me start by saying that Emma Thompson delivers a phenomenal performance as P.L. Travers, and she’s the film’s heart and soul. Her character feels so relatable and likable that I instantly fell in love with Thompson’s portrayal. As you’d expect, Tom Hanks delivers yet another golden performance, this time as the legendary Walt Disney. Hanks brings so much warmth to the role that again, you can’t help but root for the character. The supporting cast is excellent across the board, including Paul Giamatti, Bradley Whitford, B.J. Novak, and Jason Schwartzman. But the most memorable supporting performance comes courtesy of Colin Farrell, who plays Travers’ dad via a number of flashbacks. Farrell is great in the role, and again, extremely likable, even though his character is deeply flawed.
Directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, The Alamo), the movie is extremely light and fun. It isn’t meant to be a very accurate depiction of what really happened, but serves as a celebration of Disney films, and more importantly, movie-making. The film beautifully depicts how magical it can be to bring a beloved work of art to life, and it’s rarely been presented this well on film.
The Verdict:
“Saving Mr. Banks” is an extremely enjoyable film. It may not be as poignant as some might expect, but brilliant performances and an unshakable sense of fun make this one of 2013′s most delightful releases.
Numerical Score: 8/10
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