A film about PL Travers....pretty good

Rating: 8/10 (14 January 2014)

First, let's be honest about this film - it IS about PL Travers. The involvement of Walt Disney in the film is rather minor. Seriously, Tom Hanks probably has about 25% of the total available screen time. Most of it is taken up by Travers' soul searching, her back story, and her interactions with her driver, Ralph, and the film composers and writer.
This is not to say that the film is bad - it is VERY good - but that is due to Emma Thompson's performance and a very strong script and supporting cast.
So if you're looking for an expose about Disney - forget it. Hanks only had to come up with a mild southern drawl for this role - nothing that would stretch his acting abilities. If anything, Disney is soft peddled in the film. The only part when the film shows Disney as being spirited, if that, was when he did not invite Travers to the premier.
Also, if you have any cherished memories about Mary Poppins - and I do - they may wind up getting skewered by the film. Frankly, Travers comes across as total witch - something that biographers apparently agree was a true portrayal of her. It is hard to tell, however, how much of here quirkiness was real and how much was fabricated for the film (her actions with the pears for example).
So, if you want to see a good film with some drama and interesting characters - go.