Director: John Lee Hancock
Writer: Kelly Marcel, Sue Smith (Screenplay)
Starring: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell, Ruth Wilson, Paul Giamatti, Bradley Whitford, B.J. Novak, Jason Schwartzman
Plot: When Walt Disney’s (Hanks) daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ (Thompson) Mary Poppins, he made them a promise, one that he didn’t realize would take twenty years to keep. In this quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But as the book stops selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation. For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman Brothers Robert and Richard (Novak and Schwartzman), Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp. It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.
Verdict: A delightful story behind a classic
Story: With Mary Poppins being a classic learning the back story to the author’s motivation for the tale and determination to have it done her way rather than Disney’s way. The conflict to make it personal to her works well and using the flashbacks to ultimately reach the point where we see where Mary came from and what was learnt from the characters in the film. (9/10)
Actor Review: Emma Thompson – P.L Travers the stubborn author who wants her book done her way, with no exceptions, confrontational but hiding something that no one has got close enough to understand. Brilliant from Thompson, who clearly is the star of the show. (10/10)
Actor Review: Tom Hanks – Walt Disney trying to keep his promise to his daughters to make Mary Poppins who pulls out all the stock to make it happen. Good from Hanks who shows great charm towards Travers character. (8/10)
Actor Review: Colin Farrell – Travers Goff the father in the backstory to create the whole story. Great from Colin, who shines as the loving father with personal demons. (8/10)
Actor Review: Paul Giamatti – Ralph the personal driver who builds a friendship with Mrs Travers who keeps a positive outlook on life even when it has tested him. Great supporting role performance from Giamatti. (8/10)
Actor Review: Bradley Whitford – Don DaGradi the screenwriter that Mrs Travers has to work with and has constant conflict with ideas. Bradley does well in the role showing great supporting qualities. (8/10)
Actor Review: B.J. Novak – Robert one brother in the music composer who has to come up with the music to go with the words. Good supporting role who gets some good laughs. (8/10)
Actor Review: Jason Schwartzman – Richard the other half of the brothers who compose the music. Good supporting role who gets the laughs too. (8/10)
Director Review: John Lee Hancock – Beautifully directed mixing together the past and present scenes to come to the final outcome. (8/10)
Comedy: Gentle comedy throughout. (7/10)
Drama: Great drama to show how the characters are affected. (9/10)
Believability: Based on the untold true story. (8/10)
Chances of Tears: Maybe a few for some. (3/10)
Settings: Great recreation of the two different time periods with Disney in the 60s and an Australian outback for the childhood scenes. (9/10)
Suggestion: I would suggest watching this as it will fulfill all the needs from film fans. (Watch)
Best Part: My favorite part is Ralph and Mrs Travers getting to know each other by building a castle out of leaves and sticks, very touching moment.
Funniest Scene: Mrs Travers first arrives in the hotel.
Oscar Chances: Nominated for 1 Oscar
Chances of Sequel: No
Tagline: Behind the beloved book is a story beyond words.
Overall: Brilliant Story That Shows Disney’s Magic
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