Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks

Rating 6 out of 10

Disclaimer: I have not seen the movie Mary Poppins nor have I read any of P.L. Travers books.

This is mostly a movie about the life of author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson).  She is the lady that wrote the series of books Mary Poppins.  Turns out Mary Poppins was an aunt that came to help her family when she was young and her father (Mr. Banks) was gravely sick.  When Travers wrote the books she was very attached to the characters and their memories.

Walt Disney (Tom Hanks)  read the books to his daughters when they were young and made them a promise that one day he would make a movie of the beloved character.   The problem was Travers wanted no part of turning Mary Poppins into a movie.  Especially one made by Disney, who at that time had only animated movies that she detested.  She didn't care for America or Americans for that matter.  Walt Disney was very persistent and contacted Travers many times over twenty plus years.  She finally caved in due to lack of funds.  She wasn't sure which would be worse selling her story to a movie or starving to death.

The movie is based on a true story and details how difficult it was for them to come to an agreement. The movie also details in flashbacks her childhood and relationship with her alcoholic father whom she loved dearly despite all his flaws.

The movie is very well acted.  Hanks reminded me greatly of watching The Wonderful World of Disney every Sunday night with my family.  Emma Thompson is good as the stogy author.  My problem is I found the movie mostly depressing.  Travers was a very unhappy, rude and unlikable woman that treated everyone like dirt.  The movie leaves it open as to if she liked the finished product of Mary Poppins.  Reading up on IMDB I found she was very unhappy with the movie and refused to let Disney make any follow up movies.

The movie is entertaining.  Just not the uplifting heartwarming story I was hoping for.