Jan. 09, 2014 @ 12:14 AM
Movies & More reviewer John Gillispie enjoyed "Saving Mr. Banks," rated PG-13 and starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks.
"Saving Mr. Banks" is a charming movie about the attempts by Walt Disney (played by Tom Hanks) to receive permission from author P.L. Travers (portrayed by Emma Thompson) to allow him to make a movie adaptation of her books about Mary Poppins.
The title of the movie may seem a little strange, but it becomes clear as the story unfolds. Travers is presented as a very difficult woman to please and Thompson is very good in the role. Her character is so rude to those trying to make a movie about her Mary Poppins character that sometimes it is funny because she is so impolite. But, "Saving Mr. Banks" is a serious and touching film.
Through flashbacks to Travers' childhood in Australia, we meet her father (played by Colin Farrell) and her mother (played by Ruth Wilson). We learn a great deal about her life and you come to care for the adult character based on what she endured as a child.
Travers sees Mary Poppins as part of her family and is afraid that a movie musical will not present the character to her satisfaction. At first, she is not very nice to the brothers, Richard Sherman (played by Jason Schwartzman) and Robert Sherman (played by B.J. Novak), who wrote the music for the "Mary Poppins" film although the music eventually helps to win her over. She also makes life rough for screenwriter Don DaGradi (played by Bradley Whitford).
I cannot imagine anyone playing Thompson's role any better and Tom Hanks is also quite good as Walt Disney. He comes across as sincerely wanting to make a good movie about Travers' character and explains his persistence in seeking her permission for years to make a movie about Mary Poppins in order to fulfill a promise to his two daughters.
Paul Giamatti is good in his role as Ralph, a driver assigned to transport Travers to her various destinations while in California. There is also a quite touching moment between his character and the author when she realizes that they have developed a friendship of sorts.
I enjoyed the performances of Kathy Baker and Melanie Paxson as Disney colleagues and Rachel Griffiths in the important role of Aunt Ellie.
"Saving Mr. Banks" was a great movie experience for me.
John Gillispie is the public relations director for the Huntington Museum of Art.
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