See It Or Leave It

Saving Mr. Banks (C)


SYNOPSIS:

"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," a word many know that very well might have never come to light had it not been for the charm of Walt Disney and his ability to persuade Pamela P. L. Travers, author of the beloved novel Mary Poppins, to approve such absurdity. Thus is the tale of Saving Mr. Banks, starring Emma Thompson as the fiery and feisty Pamela Travers or "Mrs. Travers" as she preferred and the iconic mouse man Walt Disney played by Tom Hanks. To fulfill a 20 year promise to his children and make Mary Poppins come alive on screen, Walt Disney invites Mrs. Travers to his animation studio in the efforts to gain the rights to her acclaimed book. Easier said than done, even for the motion picture mogul who automatically assumes he will win the rights from Mrs. Travers. However the story of Mary Poppins is rooted much deeper in her personal background and Disney's attempts hardly scratch the surface of persuasion. Unbeknown to him or anyone the story is derived from her childhood experiences and the relationship she had with her father Mr. Goff (Colin Farrell). As Disney continues to butt heads with Mrs. Travers, he slowly realizes that there may be more to the story than what meets the eye and that the original story of Mary Poppins may never be told.

REVIEW:

No, I will not use any goofy play on words such as, Saving Mr. Banks could have used some serious savings itself or the film never made it to the "bank." However this movie, deemed the next feel good movie from Disney, fell somewhat flat. Surprisingly so through it's acting, as it was casted with wonderful talent in Emma Thompson and the great Tom Hanks.

The stories main characters seemed one dimensional. Mrs. Travers never progresses past the grumpy and fiery cynic until the end when the script deems it so and she can become more of a light hearted character. Tom Hanks looks and acts the part of Walt Disney near flawlessly but once again never completes any type or character arc or change; unless you consider fulfilling a promise a character arc. Mr. Goff, played by Colin Farrell may very well have been the most thought out and well rounded character as a he portrays an ailing drunk of a father who is devoted to his daughter. How his character is involved in the story is something you must discover yourself, but gives the movie some limited yet much needed flavor. Saving Mr. Banks was directed by John Lee Hancock most noted for directing "The Blind Side," starring Sandra Bullock, in an Academy Award winning role. I would have expected more of a multi dimensional acting pull from a director noted for doing such that.

The screenplay, written by relative unknowns Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith, has a warm and heartfelt touch at the center of the story and intertwines two stories set past and present effectively. Yet without any real character development, I am thinking the blame may lie with the writers as well.

On a lighter and more literal note, expect much incorporation of the songs from the original Mary Poppins, which are performed rather enjoyably by the creative and boisterous Sherman brothers (Jason Schwartzman, B J Novak). Paul Giamatti also offers a lighter side to the movie as Mrs. Travers friendly chauffeur. And I'm sure if you have ever visited Disneyland in person, you may just recognize a few of the set locations used in the film.

Overall, Saving Mr. Banks makes for a sub par family movie that can be watched with just about anyone familiar with Mary Poppins or not. Although Saving Mr. Banks is in relation to the original movie, I would advise you to watch Marry Poppins first, not only to acquaint yourself with the story and references but to experience acting at a more memorable level.



OVERALL: (C)

Directing (C-)
John Lee Hancock

Script (B-) 

Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith 

Acting (C-)
Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, B J Novak

Cinematography (C)
John Schwartzman

Set Design (B)



SCENE TO LOOK FOR: 

EXT. GRASS AREA - DISNEY STUDIOS - BURBANK - DAY

Pamela picks a daisy, finds a stray twig and arranges them in the grass.

RALPH

Mrs?

Pamela looks up, her eyes red rimmed but she’s not crying.

RALPH (CONT’D)

I, uh, brought you a tea.

He hands her the tea in a takeaway cup.

PAMELA

It’s blasphemy to drink tea from a paper cup.

 In this scene, Ralph (Paul Giamatti) and Pam Travers (Emma Thompson) sit together below the shade of a tree in the middle of Disney Studio's. Ralph has come to offer her some comfort in the midst of her on going battle with Walt Disney and the rights to her book. Both sit and talk below a tree, with legs straight out, digging their hands into the grass and dirt like little children. This kiddish portrayal by the adult characters reminds us that at the heart of Disney films is the creative magic of Walt Disney, the ability to bring out the child in us, and to serve as a reminder of that wonderful and magical feeling we got when we saw our favorite Disney movie or visited Disneyland for the very first time.

SHOT TO LOOK FOR: 

EXT. BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - POOL - DAY UNDERWATER

SPLOSH! A green bomb disturbs the tranquil surface and then another SPLOSH!

We rise through the water to see Pamela on her balcony throwing the pears, one by one, into the swimmer-free swimming pool. 

INT. BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL - SUITE - CONTINUOUS

PAMELA

 Good riddance. 

The pear falling in the water. This specific shot has no relevance to the feeling and motive behind the scene and could have easily been switched out for a more humorous shot of a pear falling on someone. However, there is nothing like a pear, piercing the surface of the water like a whizzing bullet, to invoke memories of "Saving Private Ryan" and it's famous beach scene.