Author P. L. Travers reflects on her difficult childhood while meeting with filmmaker Walt Disney during production for the adaptation of her novel, Mary Poppins.
Saving Mr Banks is an indulgent, overlong picture which is always on the verge of becoming a mess. Thankfully, reliable old Tom Hanks snaps his fingers and – spit, spot – everything more or less gets cleared away.
This is a proper drama with “heavyweight” actors and is not your average American popcorn fare. It definitely kept the audience and this reviewer entertained. I believe you will be recommending this film to your friends!
There is a sense that Travers herself might have taken issue with the ‘happy ever after’ tone of Saving Mr Banks (at times it’s pretty sentimental stuff) but the engaging performances and story mean that you’d have to have a heart of stone not to be swept up in it.
Hanks and Thompson are a delight, Farrell gives one of his best performances, and there are some lovely moments as we observe the creation of the musical, especially when we hear the tunes.
It’s not perfect, but it has more emotional directness than you might expect.
We sobbed all the way through this one. A rich, sophisticated movie hiding in the shell a simply entertaining one.
Hanks takes to Walt like a pair of cosy slippers, but it’s Thompson who adds layers to a classy but predictable slice of Disney schmaltz.
This is not a simple story of an uptight English woman induced to loosen up by those freedom-lovin’ Yanks, but a delicate and brilliantly acted story of overcoming the past to embrace an uncertain future. Emma Thompson, in particular, is magic.
Saving Mr Banks might not be entirely accurate, but it is wholly engaging. Thompson is marvellous, as is Hanks, and the lesser roles are beautifully cast, too.
It is Emma Thompson's performance that carries the film. Even when PL Travers is behaving at her most imperious, Thompson is able to hint at her vulnerabilities and to keep the audience's sympathy.
Just what Christmas needs: a feelgood movie that doesn’t need a brain bypass.
It's a shame we couldn't get more fireworks from the incomparable Hanks and Thompson.
Travers actively disliked Disney's movie, but no matter; ultimately, they didn't make it for her. On the other hand, as a diehard Thompsonite who considers Mary Poppins one of the 10 best movies ever made, they appear to have made Saving Mr Banks for me. And I loved it.
Despite the film’s faults, Hanks and Thompson help the medicine go down with two fine performances.
The making of Mary Poppins: Not such a jolly holiday
The fight to make Mary Poppins
Saving Mr Banks and the Disney brand
Mary, Mary, quite contrary: PL Travers and Mary Poppins
How we made Mary Poppins
Emma Thompson on her role in Saving Mr Banks
What Saving Mr Banks tells us about the original Mary Poppins
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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