Tom Hanks as Walt Disney, showing Emma Thompson, who portrays P.L. Travers ….around DisneyLand. You can tell she is impressed with the theme park! I believe she said “I hate cartoons” when introduced to Mickey Mouse. 🙂
The Captain and I went to see this movie and it was very insightful. I expected something far different from the story that was told. I did enjoy the movie, but not in the way I thought I would.
I believe I was thinking a lighthearted comedy with cartoon characters would be a fun afternoon. As I think back, I am not sure what I actually thought or expected the movie to be about…..I guess I thought it would show the way the movie, “Mary Poppins” was being filmed; the controversy over how the characters were being portrayed and the conflict between the two visions…. Walt Disney’s and the author, P.L. Travers’ !
Instead, the movie showed the way the actual movie was being filmed, the controversy over how the characters were being portrayed and the conflict between the two visions…. Walt Disney’s and the author, P.L. Travers’ !
Confused yet? 🙂
In 1961, P.L. Travers, evidently was having financial issues (or so her agent informed her) and convinced her to meet with Disney to bring the book to life through a movie. Disney had been trying to get the rights to the book for 20 years….because of a promise to his children,… that he would make the book into a movie.
The reality of it all goes back to Travers’ childhood, being born and raised in and near Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. Much later, Travers moved to London, England to pursue a career as an author where she penned a series of “Mary Poppins” books with the first book being published in 1934. It was hugely popular.
“Mary Poppins“, for those of you who do not know…tells the story of a sorely needed nanny, blown in on a strong wind to assist the family at 17 Cherry Tree Lane in London. Mr. and Mrs. Banks (mother and father to the two children) accept this mysterious nanny to watch over their children. The children soon discover there’s more to Mary than her stern, no-nonsense manner. She has a magical touch!
Back to the confusion….the film “Saving Mr. Banks” definitely raises some interesting questions. Relationships can be Loving and tumultuous even in the best of times. The memories we have of our childhood can conflict with the memories of others in our family. It doesn’t necessarily mean one is right or wrong, it is how we perceived situations and/or actions.
Travers had a strong, emotional attachment to her work, which was her “baby or family” so to speak. (I can relate to this connection as my own novels’ characters are a part of me). In the case of Travers, the stronger the attachment to her Mr. Banks, the stronger the conflict of interest to herself.
If you see the movie “Saving Mr. Banks” I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
Me
Thanks for sharing, Kari. I, too, have seen “Saving Mr Banks”; I figured anything with Tom Hanks or Emma Thompson in it had to be good. I was not disappointed. As to any controversy, or difficulty between Disney and Travers, I was blissfully unaware (altho I love biographies, I don’t (didn’t) know much about their private lives).
The combination of an article in “The Smithsonian,” and my niece’s relating an interview she had recently seen with Hanks added a great deal to understanding how “prickly” Travers was and why Disney worked so hard (over 20 years – as he says at one point, “I don’t need her, but I made a promise to my kids.”)
The acting is superb, as one might expect from two veterans and worthy of their talents (unlike, say, “Ender’s Game” which was a huge disappointment, which Harrison Ford could not save).
There was just enough of The Magic Kingdom in “Saving Mr Banks” w/o being over the top (an excellent balance for someone who literally grew up with Mickey Mouse on Sunday night tv). There was a good (appropriate) portion of “Mary Poppins”, too.
One of the few movies I’ve seen recently that I’d like to have on my shelf.
I agree Pete….I love anything Disney! The Captain and I went over to Disney World last year about this time with kids and grandkids and it was a blast seeing through the eyes of the little ones!
I haven’t seen it, but I want to, Kari.
I really liked it…..but I love anything Disney!
Me