Before Watching: Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

Rating: 7/10 (4 February 2020)

"Saving Mr. Banks" (2013) is a charming movie about the people and relations behind the famous Mary Poppins. If you want to get as much out of it as possible, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before watching:
It's easy to dismiss Saving Mr. Banks at first glance as rather slow-paced and uninteresting for anyone that wasn't caught by the initial Mary Poppins-wave. That judgement could to an extent be justified, since this is after all a typical drama feature, and as such, rarely bothers itself with intense action sequences or an over-emphasized conflict of epic proportions. However, that does not mean that Saving Mr. Banks is not intriguing nor captivating - its intensity is just experienced in a different, but still present way. The aim lies on the aim protagonist, Pamela Travers, and her background as well as psychological connection to her work of fiction. Although she might come off as cold and one-dimensional, she grows into a very satisfying and cathartic arch towards the end.
The side characters do a great job with providing the additional and much needed warmth, which elevates the movie in a curious and quite cheerful way. The opposites of personalities make for amusing as well as deep felt interactions, all interwoven with relevant flashbacks for Mrs. Travers. The music is almost too catchy, the scenery lush, and all things considered makes for a cozy and relaxing experience - save the ending which can come off as a bit abrupt and sudden, but still relevant and understandable.
My personal grade: a pleasant 7/10. If you found this helpful, check my profile for more reviews.