Tonight I saw Saving Mr. Banks, the biopic of how Mary Poppins was transferred from the page to the screen.
The film has two alternating, but equal story lines. PL Travers (Emma Thompson) is the author of Mary Poppins. Sales have dried up and she is in need of an income. For the past twenty years, Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) has been asking her for the rights to make a film based on the book. She has finally agreed to travel to Los Angeles to discuss the possibility of making the movie, but she is determined that it does not become too Hollywoodized.
The other story line is the flashbacks of her childhood in Australia. Her father (Colin Farrell) loves his family, but has flaws that prevents him from being the father and husband that he needs to be. Her mother (Ruth Wilson) does her best to be a good mother, but finds herself hindered by her husband’s actions.
We all know Mary Poppins, the movie has been part of our lives since it premiered. It’s like any classic, sometimes when you know the details and experiences of the author’s life, the story takes on a different meaning.
The movie clocks in at 2 hours. It’s a little long, but enjoyable.
Writergurlny 