The story of Walt
Disney’s struggle to make the 1964 classic “Mary Poppins” has often been told
during the past 50 years. Author P.L. Travers fought Disney on every word
during production and loathed the movie (the latter is outright squashed).
This cleaned-up squabble is the basis for “Saving Mr. Banks” which shows how Travers (real
name Helen Goff, played by Emma Thompson) was won over by Disney’s (Tom Hanks)
charm, and explores why the children’s book author was so harsh -- mainly her
haunting Outback youth. This is a Disney film, though, and from the opening logos,
it works to make the audience smile and cry, damn the facts. It succeed, mostly. But
“Banks” is grossly off point. Walt himself woos Travers with his own uneasy
childhood tale, but it’s for naught. Yes, Walt had it hard, many
do, but Travers’ parents were non-functioning adults riddled by alcoholism
and mental illness that reached the act of suicide. (Worst offense:
Mistaking dad’s drunken fatherly doting and kindness for actual doting and
kindness.) No talk from a nice old guy or spoonful of sugar can remedy
that. Still, the happy tunes and sunny spirit are difficult to resist. Disney magic, that. B-
Monday, January 6, 2014
Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
Labels:
2013,
alcoholism,
biased,
Disney,
drama,
Emma Thompson,
family,
Mary Poppins,
musical,
P.L. Travers,
Saving Mr. Banks,
spoonful of sugar,
Tom Hanks,
true story
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