PG-13
Starring: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Ruth Wilson, Paul Giamatti, Bradley Whitford, Jason Schwartzmen and Annie Rose Buckley
Running Time: 2 Hours
This movie has been shrouded with mystery and therefore I was completely perplexed as to what to expect. I can honestly say that this was the best two hours that I have spent in a theater for a very long time!
This is the true story of author P. L. Travers (Emma Thompson) and her reluctance to hand over the rights to her book about Mary Poppins to Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) to make the movie and how he persuades her to do so.
Travers is stubborn, crotchety and proper with very strong opinions of her own. She grew up in rural New Zealand with a father she utterly adored who was very ill and a mother who was long-suffering. She had her world turned upside down at a very young age and she struggled to move forward.
She reluctantly consents and flies off to Los Angeles to meet with Walt Disney and his team to negotiate the making of the movie. She is very specific about her demands and expectations about the movie. Mr. Disney was very casual and laid back and tried to reassure her that they would take excellent care of the script and treat it with the greatest respect! She feels he is untrustworthy and continues to doubt his motives with the movie. She was very uncomfortable and completely overwhelmed with the whole Disney empire, it is completely different than anything she has ever experienced.
After much time and reassurance, Walt finally convinces her that his childhood was less than idyllic and he also had to move forward with his life.
I am a huge Disney fan and this movie moved me beyond my wildest dreams! I have always admired Walt Disney and held him in the highest regard, but now I have even greater respect for him. He really is a genius and a hero to so many. This movie was pure joy and enchantment! There were so many magical scenes in this movie, when they are writing the music scores, singing and dancing and Travers reluctance to have any of it! I think Tom Hanks was perfect for the role and portrayed Walt to a tee! Emma Thompson was simply flawless as P. L.Travers! A delightful cast and simply a beautiful movie!I can't wait to see it again!!!
Parents be advised: I am recommending this movie for children 12 and over because it deals with serious life issues that might be difficult for young children to understand.
I am giving "Saving Mr. Banks" four bags of popcorn.
