Thompson charms again in a great film of movie history

Rating: 8/10 (2 September 2019)

Based on a true story, this film takes place in two different time periods. One is in the early 1960s when Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) is trying to convince P. L. Travers (Emma Thompson) to give his company the right to make a film based on her "Mary Poppins" books. (We all know the outcome of that.) The other time period is in the early 1900s in Australia and tells the story of Travers' very difficult childhood.
This movie was more charming and moving than I expected. It begins with a comical clash of British vs. American values. It's quite funny at times though Travers occasionally goes too far with her put-downs.
She is so obstinate that, if this were a fictional film, the final outcome might not be believable. Indeed, some of the truth is stretched but not enough to harm the overall effect.
Some of the most moving scenes are those in the early time period. As the family patriarch, Colin Farrell is very gripping as a man who wants to do well for his beloved family but has the hardest times with his demons of despair. The flashbacks of these scenes make it easier to understand the difficult personality of the adult Travers.
Her character is also made more human due to the dependable brilliance of Emma Thompson. When snarky, Thompson does what those great Brits do best: deliver sharp-tongued wit quickly but comprehensively within perfectly structured sentences. She is most moving, however, after recalling childhood moments (shown in flashbacks) while struggling to maintain her demands that the film stay true to her stories. Her face could tell a full story without saying a word.
It's not a surprise that Thompson is so great. Her work in the 1990s ("Howards End", "The Remains of the Day", "In the Name of the Father", "Sense and Sensibility" plus a hilarious appearance on the "Ellen" show) would be enough to place her in any hall of fame. I also recall she was one of the few saving graces in the rather mediocre "Love, Actually" in 2003. It's great to see her in a part that showcases her best once again.
Hanks has a very fine monologue near the film's end. It summarizes what could be the film's main theme: sympathy to families whose sole breadwinners suffered in soul-destroying jobs. This even came through in "Mary Poppins".
Rating: 8/10* * *
Outstanding Achievement: Performance of Emma Thompson