“Banks”
is a live-action picture, which is the story behind the creative process and
struggle to create “Mary Poppins,” the 1964 Disney movie about a nanny who
reunites the broken Banks family. P. L.
Travers (Emma Thompson), the author of the children’s book “Mary Poppins” has
been entreated by the Disney Studios since 1938 for the rights. After much effort to keep her book from being
transformed into another “silly cartoon” of Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) and his
studio, she finally agrees to meet him in California and will sign over the
rights, provided she oversees the entire creative process.
As she
dives into the minutiae of “Mary Poppins,” Travers reflects on her childhood in
Australia, especially on her relationship with her father. He was the inspiration for the patriarch of “Poppins,”
Mr. Banks. His poor temper yet loving
disposition played a major role in her childhood, and his battle with
alcoholism didn’t make things easy. Travers’
relationship with her father weighed a lot on her writing later on in life,
especially when determining how Mr. Banks really should be portrayed. Working with Don DaGradi (Bradley Whitford) and
the Sherman Brothers (Jason Schwartzman and B. J. Novak) was a long and
grueling process. However, once she realized
the importance of bringing “Mary Poppins” to the silver screen, she makes the
bold move of signing the rights over. “Saving
Mr. Banks” is an excellent interpretation of how difficult it can be making a
film, from the storyboards and script to the music and costuming.
Thompson
plays an anxiety stricken woman, whose proper nature and desperate need for a
spoonful of sugar will make you love her, even though she is utterly disgusted
by Disneyland. She
thoroughly prepared for her role as the uptight author. Thompson styled her own hair similar to that
of Travers. She also listened to the
tapes recorded from the scriptwriting process in which Travers dictated her
many concerns of what Disney’s team dreamed up.
Overall, she is absolutely in this film (as expected) and it is no
wonder why she has received a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of
Travers.
She wasn’t
the only actor who did their homework for “Saving Mr. Banks.” Tom Hanks grew his mustache out, causing the
make-up and costuming team style it just like Disney’s. He also listened to old recordings of Disney
and practiced his Midwestern inflection while reading the newspaper. Jason Schwartzman and B. J. Novak also had
the pleasure of working closely with Richard Sherman, which was very beneficial
throughout rehearsals and the actual filming.
This
film will effectively transport you to Los Angeles in the 1960’s. Disneyland, even though is much different
from what it is now, is still enchanting.
The scenery will make you fall in love.
Costuming and the stylistic aspects of the film were approached in a
most favorable manner. Everything from
the bag Emma Thompson carried around to Tom Hanks’ mustache was finely placed,
avoiding any anachronistic nature. Nuances
everywhere made all the difference, as there was an authenticity to the film
that is less common now than before.
“Saving
Mr. Banks” was as heartwarming as it was heartbreaking. Audiences get to see the struggle that comes
along with creating a movie, along with the delights that make the frustration
worth it in the end. As soon as I got
home, I put “Mary Poppins” on to get a better feel for what really is going on
throughout the film. The tribute it
plays is respectable and appropriate.
For the story it tells, I couldn’t imagine a better interpretation.
