Starring: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Paul Giamatti
Director: John Lee Hancock
Genre: Drama
Running time: 125 minutes
Certificate: PG
It seems to be habit for a lot of critics to sneer at films that are given to sentimentality but, as Alfred Hitchcock pointed out, audiences should be emoting or the film is not doing its job. Saving Mr Banks can be accused of being knowingly sentimental but this is what makes it so good. The film tells the story of P L Travers (Emma Thompson), the stern, no nonsense author of Mary Poppins. Travers has been pursued by Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) for twenty years for the rights to make the movie of her book. Horrified by the idea of letting go of her creation but desperately in need of money, Travers travels to Los Angeles to discuss the rights with Disney.
This film is unexpectedly funny and captivating from the start, and the time in the screening flew as the film was totally engrossing. Emma Thompson truly shines as P L Travers, a character that could so easily have been overblown or caricatured. Thompson brings subtlety, fragility and vulnerability to the performance and genuinely brought the room to tears without saying a word - nice work Ms Thompson. Paul Giamatti's performance as the chauffeur is touching, and Tom Hanks is his usual class act portraying a benevolent but determined Walt Disney. On this note, however, it seems that reality is not high on this film's agenda. Saving Mr Banks is classified as a true story, and in 1961 a protracted negotiation was indeed entered into by Travers and Disney, but it is clear that this movie must be both a simplification and Disneyfication of the true story, particularly when the film is a Disney production. Don't expect this to tear down the walls of the Disney corporation or perform a gritty investigation of its major characters, but it is enchanting, enjoyable and often funny.
Four stars: Funny, entertaining, captivating and genuinely moving. Go see it, you won't be disappointed.
For more information on Saving Mr Banks visit here.
Director: John Lee Hancock
Genre: Drama
Running time: 125 minutes
Certificate: PG
It seems to be habit for a lot of critics to sneer at films that are given to sentimentality but, as Alfred Hitchcock pointed out, audiences should be emoting or the film is not doing its job. Saving Mr Banks can be accused of being knowingly sentimental but this is what makes it so good. The film tells the story of P L Travers (Emma Thompson), the stern, no nonsense author of Mary Poppins. Travers has been pursued by Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) for twenty years for the rights to make the movie of her book. Horrified by the idea of letting go of her creation but desperately in need of money, Travers travels to Los Angeles to discuss the rights with Disney.This film is unexpectedly funny and captivating from the start, and the time in the screening flew as the film was totally engrossing. Emma Thompson truly shines as P L Travers, a character that could so easily have been overblown or caricatured. Thompson brings subtlety, fragility and vulnerability to the performance and genuinely brought the room to tears without saying a word - nice work Ms Thompson. Paul Giamatti's performance as the chauffeur is touching, and Tom Hanks is his usual class act portraying a benevolent but determined Walt Disney. On this note, however, it seems that reality is not high on this film's agenda. Saving Mr Banks is classified as a true story, and in 1961 a protracted negotiation was indeed entered into by Travers and Disney, but it is clear that this movie must be both a simplification and Disneyfication of the true story, particularly when the film is a Disney production. Don't expect this to tear down the walls of the Disney corporation or perform a gritty investigation of its major characters, but it is enchanting, enjoyable and often funny.Four stars: Funny, entertaining, captivating and genuinely moving. Go see it, you won't be disappointed.
For more information on Saving Mr Banks visit here.
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