All great movies have a stirring moral buried deep within the lines. In an emotionally stirring portrait of the past, “Saving Mr. Banks” taught viewers the best things come to those who wait, and what seems to be true may not always be.
“Saving Mr. Banks” follows two separate stories. The first begins in 1961, at the end of a 20-year campaign by Walt Disney to acquire the rights from P.L. Travers to make the beloved “Mary Poppins” into a film. The other story follows the turbulent and tragic childhood of Helen Goff, who turns out to be the childhood P.L. Travers. During the film, the harsh behavior by Travers is explained by her rough childhood.
P.L. Travers, played by Emma Thompson, is cold, critical and peculiar, arbitrarily denying requests for the film for no particular reason. On the other hand, Disney, played by Tom Hanks, is encouraging, with few faults other than a bad smoking problem. Almost all of what happens in the movie is supposed to be true, even though Travers is made out to be evil.
Yet “Saving Mr. Banks” still does the trick.
The relationship between Disney and Travers blossomed into something special.
Watching Travers repeatedly react to the moves by Disney writers and musicians with disdain is entertaining. The supporting cast of B.J. Novak, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford and Paul Giamatti brings refreshing energy and fun to the story, and Giamatti’s relationship with Travers is the most fun to watch. He also has the best story reveal of the film, even if it is late in the story.
Although the movie and its actors are strong for the most part, it falters with Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Travers’ father. He is unconvincing as a drunk and a little creepy as her father. He sounds un-Australian and looks even more uncomfortable playing the role. His role is still necessary for the storyline, though.
The scenes with the Disney song writers brings it all together, because Travers listens to them write the songs that define her troubled but still loving childhood.
“Saving Mr. Banks” is a true Disney product. It provides the story of triumph over adversity and love. Walt Disney has been the favorite subject for many children throughout the years, and seeing him brought to life at the peak of his life was magical.
“Saving Mr. Banks” is one for the ages. It brought the magic of “Mary Poppins,” one of the best Disney movies of all time, to life.
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