Saving Mr. Banks
Feel-good biopic dramedy about Walt Disney's (Tom Hanks) 20-year pursuit of the film rights to British author P.L. Travers' (Emma Thompson) novel Mary Poppins. Travers visits California in 1961, but Disney struggles to convince her of his screen vision and to crack her prim exterior. From the director of The Blind Side, co-starring Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti and Jason Schwartzman.
P.L Travers reflects on her childhood in 1906 Australia, a trying time for her family which not only molded her aspirations to write but one that also inspired the characters in her beloved 1934 book. None more so than the her caring father (Farrell), a tormented banker who, before his untimely death that same year, instills the youngster with both affection and enlightenment (and would be the muse for the story’s patriarch, Mr. Banks, the character that the famous nanny comes to aid). While reluctant to grant Disney the rights, Travers comes to realise that the acclaimed storyteller has his own motives for wanting to make the film - which, like the author, hints at the relationship he shared with his own father.
- Director:
- John Lee Hancock ('The Blind Side', 'The Alamo')
- Writer:
- Kelly Marcel
- Cast:
- Tom HanksEmma ThompsonRuth WilsonColin FarrellPaul GiamattiRachel GriffithsJason SchwartzmanBradley Whitford
Reviews & comments
Total Film
pressHanks takes to Walt like a pair of cosy slippers, but it's Thompson who adds layers to a classy but predictable slice of Disney schmaltz.
Time Out
pressThe whole thing goes down with a few bucketloads of sugar. What keeps it from becoming sticky schmaltz is Emma Thompson, who plays Travers with wit and warmth.
The New York Times
pressThe best parts offer an embellished, tidied-up but nonetheless reasonably authentic glimpse of the Disney entertainment machine at work.
The Dissolve
pressIt would all seem horribly manipulative and distasteful if Saving Mr. Banks weren't buoyed by a strong sense of nostalgia and, yes, a good bit of Disney Magic(TM).
Hollywood Reporter
pressAn affecting if somewhat soft-soaped comedy drama, elevated by excellent performances.
Empire Magazine
pressA delicate and brilliantly acted story of overcoming the past to embrace an uncertain future.
Come one people let's not kid ourselves that this is some kind of work of art. It's a film about Disney heavily controlled by Disney and it is one of the most realistic cartoons they've made but it's still a cartoon.
A sweet, heart warming true story with wonderful performances from the brilliant Emma Thomson and the fantastic Tom Hanks. Highly recommended.
Great acting Story was a bit twisted Disney was a lot meaner in real life than the film made him out to be.
This movie was pretty good. I was quite surprise at how simple it was to watch and omg... I did not know how much creative BS was given to make Mary poplin's the show that it is today. A goos watch and the acting was decent!
A well written and clever coming together of two greats, both in the characters portrayed and the actors on screen as well as well played back up roles. A well rounded cast that is not top heavy with its Hollywood A-Listers. I was worried this portrayal may detract from the Mary Poppins of old but all this film does is create a need to re-watch the...
Pleasantly surprised with this quirky feelgood movie about Mary Poppins and the creativity involved. Emotionally touching to those who have had an interesting upbringing.
Loved this well paced, well directed movie with superb acting from Emma Thompson. Also excellent and quirky supporting characters really add to the fun and humour of the film. Very interesting backstory on how Mary Poppins took over 20 years to be made and nearly didnt happen.
A touching, funny and heart-warming film. Thompson is outstanding as Travers, likeable when she really shouldn't be. The songs are nostalgically wonderful and it's great to see the creative process (and pain) behind them.
Total Film
pressHanks takes to Walt like a pair of cosy slippers, but it's Thompson who adds layers to a classy but predictable slice of Disney schmaltz.
Time Out
pressThe whole thing goes down with a few bucketloads of sugar. What keeps it from becoming sticky schmaltz is Emma Thompson, who plays Travers with wit and warmth.
The New York Times
pressThe best parts offer an embellished, tidied-up but nonetheless reasonably authentic glimpse of the Disney entertainment machine at work.
The Dissolve
pressIt would all seem horribly manipulative and distasteful if Saving Mr. Banks weren't buoyed by a strong sense of nostalgia and, yes, a good bit of Disney Magic(TM).
Hollywood Reporter
pressAn affecting if somewhat soft-soaped comedy drama, elevated by excellent performances.
Empire Magazine
pressA delicate and brilliantly acted story of overcoming the past to embrace an uncertain future.
Come one people let's not kid ourselves that this is some kind of work of art. It's a film about Disney heavily controlled by Disney and it is one of the most realistic cartoons they've made but it's still a cartoon.
A sweet, heart warming true story with wonderful performances from the brilliant Emma Thomson and the fantastic Tom Hanks. Highly recommended.
Great acting Story was a bit twisted Disney was a lot meaner in real life than the film made him out to be.
This movie was pretty good. I was quite surprise at how simple it was to watch and omg... I did not know how much creative BS was given to make Mary poplin's the show that it is today. A goos watch and the acting was decent!
A well written and clever coming together of two greats, both in the characters portrayed and the actors on screen as well as well played back up roles. A well rounded cast that is not top heavy with its Hollywood A-Listers. I was worried this portrayal may detract from the Mary Poppins of old but all this film does is create a need to re-watch the...
Pleasantly surprised with this quirky feelgood movie about Mary Poppins and the creativity involved. Emotionally touching to those who have had an interesting upbringing.
Loved this well paced, well directed movie with superb acting from Emma Thompson. Also excellent and quirky supporting characters really add to the fun and humour of the film. Very interesting backstory on how Mary Poppins took over 20 years to be made and nearly didnt happen.
A touching, funny and heart-warming film. Thompson is outstanding as Travers, likeable when she really shouldn't be. The songs are nostalgically wonderful and it's great to see the creative process (and pain) behind them.
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