An Author's Rare Insight Into "The Disney Touch".

Rating: 9/10 (13 January 2014)

This film, and it's historical footnote, are the first time we've ever really heard a author's view and feelings about the legendary Disney treatment or "Disney touch". Most of the famous stories Disney made into movies are by authors who have long been dead and have never been able to express their opinion about what Disney did with their works. One can easily imagine that J.M. Barrie, Lewis Carroll, and Collodi, would all have some complaint with Disney's pop culture, Hollywood approach.
In 'Saving Mr.Banks' we get a first hand account of how 'Mary popping's' author P.L. Travers felt about Disney and his liberties with her stories. Travers was alive and well at the time and Disney had to face up to the author face to face. This movie does not exaggerate much. There are endless recording sessions that were made during the creative process and Travers can constantly be heard groaning "no, no, no". It was no inside secret that Travers was highly critical of the Disney machine.
There are a few anachronisms here but basically this film sticks close to the facts and the truth. At least about her involvement with the Disney studio. Her personal life I know little about.
There is so much in this film that is impeccable, but for me, it was the depiction of Walt Disney by an actor, and wow was Tom Hanks uncanny in resemblance, and the depiction of the Sherman brothers. For any die hard Disney fan, these performances are pure gold, especially Hanks.
I've always loved Disney and have a real fondness for his musical 'Poppins'. Disney felt is was his crowning achievement and one of his greatest works. 'Poppins' is perfect subject matter for a film that pays homage to one of the most talked about men of our time.