Saving Mr. Banks

Rating: 7/10 (25 October 2015)

Saving Mr. Banks is based on the story of how Walt Disney bought the rights to make Mary Poppins. Starring Tom Hanks as Disney, Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers, the author of Mary Poppins, and Colin Farrell, as Travers' father -- as seen in flashback. The crux of the story centres around Travers' time spent at Disney studios, working with Disney, Don DaGradi and the brilliant Sherman brothers, as a screenplay is eeked out and some sort of agreement reached between the film-makers and the defensive Travers. Here, both Hanks and Thompson shine, playing opposite types butting heads over a common interest. Thompson is outstanding as Travers, walking a fine line between being risible and empathetic, as scathing barbs and a difficult temperament block the ebullient Walt at every turn. Hanks, equally good, is completely genial and very convincing in his role. We know and see Disney's motivations, become aware of a pointed drive to succeed and create a world in which he is master of his domain. But this is a likable character, as is Travers, whose backstory is told in extensive flashbacks. Her childhood, in the Australian outback, especially her relationship with an alcoholic father, comes to define her life as she wrestles with memories of tragedy and the ideal. Thus, her determination not to allow her beloved creation to be tampered with by Disney. Her resolve loosens, of course. We all know the film was ultimately made and became a tremendous success. But this is the story (albeit a romanticised one) of how the film came to be. Films about the movie business are often favourites of mine, and this is no exception. Saving Mr. Banks is a really wonderful film. The story is well written and directed, but comes with an enormous cache for anyone fond of Mary Poppins. The flashbacks occasionally fracture the narrative and spell out Travers' arc a bit too freely, but ultimately, the back- story is vital to her catharsis. Especially when this aspect of the story is so well handled -- despite feeling a bit like a different film entirely.