SAVING
MR. BANKS 3.8***
Tom Hanks is Walt Disney
and Emma Thompson is P.L. Travers, the author of the "Mary Poppins"
books in "Saving Mr. Banks,". For twenty years, P.L. Travers has
refused to sell the rights to her Mary Poppins books to Walt Disney. Finally,
her agent tells her that she’s running out of money because she doesn't have
any new sales or residuals coming in and she really ought to take Walt up on
his offer. He has promised her final say on the film.
Reluctantly, the uptight, very proper P.L.
Travers goes to Hollywood and proceeds to drive Walt Disney, composers Richard
and Robert Sherman and everyone else insane with her ridiculous demands and
criticisms. Despite his best efforts, Disney cannot get her to warm up to him,
and after a period of time, she still hasn't signed over the rights. In a way,
Disney understands because "the mouse" (that would become Mickey) is
very personal for him, and when he had the chance, he wouldn't sell the
character. But in another way, he is mystified. Travers herself doesn't seem to
understand what drives her stubbornness, yet she keeps having flashbacks to her
own childhood in Australia with her sweet albeit drunken father ( played
exceptionally well by Colin Farrell) who died young when she was a teen, and
her unhappy mother (Ruth Wilson).
The film should really be called
"Solving P.L. Travers" because it's the story of a woman coming to
terms with her life and being able to let go of the past. Emma Thompson is
absolutely wonderful as the prim and proper British dame, firing off snappy
dialogue laced with sardonic wit , an unlikeable woman who becomes more likable
as we gradually understand her, and Hanks is fantastic as Disney, a remarkable
man with great vision but is also one who is used to winning people over…
having his way.
Saving Mr. Banks" is a truly great and
beautifully told film. It's a movie that exemplifies why we go to the
movies and what Disney stands for as an entertainment corporation. It is equal
parts heartfelt, witty, charming, entertaining, and emotionally satisfying.
One of the best movies of the year and will be in the Oscar race.
Clark
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