Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
3/4
I Will Do It, But I Won't Like It!
LeeAnn M. - wrote on 03/22/2014
A friend told me to rent Saving Mr. Banks before I bought it because it was an emotional film. She also told me not to let my second grade son see it. Her explanation was "While the film is about the makings of a well loved children's film, Saving Mr. Banks is too heavy for young viewers." I was confused. That is what made me fall in love with Mary Poppins, that she did not hide the bitterness of life, but encouraged the children to tackle it head on with a spoonful of sugar. So I bought the DVD and I have to concede that my friend is right. Saving Mr. Banks is a wonderful film, as one would expect from the talents of Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson. It is not a movie I would watch again and again.
The film weaves the childhood flashbacks of P.L. Travors and present day reality in a …
Rating of
3/4
Saving Mr. Banks
Cavernstones - wrote on 03/05/2014
Emma Thompson turns in an award winning performance as P.L. Travers, author of the children stories featuring Mary Poppins. Tom Hanks does a well studied turn of Mr. Walt Disney, which is to stay he isn't overbearing in this role. Which is good, because the clear focus of the story is on Mrs. Travers, and her struggles. Although the movie is well directed, and for the most part the characters are true to their roles, there's an underlying current of mystery regarding Mrs. Travers that unfolds throughout the film. It may be difficult for someone from a younger generation today to understand her motivations and actions, but the director pulls you along on the journey slowly and evenly. I'd recommend this movie to any fan of Disney behind the scenes stuff, even if some of it is clearly …
Rating of
3/4
Creative Stuggles With The Mouse
Unknown - wrote on 01/09/2014
'Saving Mr. Banks' is a unique Disney film, in that it doesn't completely feel like a typical Disney drama. That makes it more interesting since the story involves real-life Disney filmmakers, including the man himself, in the beginning creative process of making an eventual Disney classic film. Despite that fact, this story is almost entirely about P.L. Travers. Emma Thompson is absolutely fantastic in this role. Much is learned about this woman through her dealings with Disney and the second tier story of her childhood that coincides. I particularly liked the latter part, because those scenes of her past explained so much without too much dialogue. It felt like it's own mini movie-within-the-movie. All of the sentiment was well earned and it complimented the main story very …
Rating of
3.5/4
Review: Saving Mr. Banks
MikePA - wrote on 12/24/2013
With a strong focus on P.L. Travers and her personal life, director John Lee Hancock's Saving Mr. Banks tells the interesting production story of the one and only Mary Poppins. Travers of course isn't too fond of the idea of bringing her character to life, viewing their plans for the project as poor and lacking the heart that she brought to her books, which makes it a bit of a struggle for Walt Disney to convince her otherwise. This is a wonderful film - a beautifully told story featuring one of the year's most interesting and well-written characters, performed brilliantly by Emma Thompson. Thompson nails the attitude and bitchiness and frustration that is hiding Travers' good heart. The always reliable Tom Hanks makes good screen time for the unfortunately underwritten Walt Disney. …
