Saving Mr. Banks
Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks

2013Movie126 minEnglish

Author P.L. Travers looks back on her childhood while reluctantly meeting with Walt Disney, who seeks to adapt her Mary Poppins books for the big screen.

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Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes65%
Metacritic63/100
Google Users85%
Director: John Lee HancockGenres: Biography, Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

In 1961, author P.L. Travers travels to Los Angeles to discuss the adaptation of her Mary Poppins books with Walt Disney. During their difficult collaboration, Travers recalls her troubled childhood in Australia and the profound impact her father had on her life, revealing the personal experiences that inspired her beloved character.

Critical Reception

Saving Mr. Banks received generally positive reviews, with praise directed at the performances of Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, the film's emotional depth, and its nuanced portrayal of the creative process. Some critics found the narrative structure a bit conventional, but overall it was seen as a charming and poignant exploration of memory, storytelling, and the complex relationship between creator and creation.

What Reviewers Say

  • Emma Thompson delivers a masterful performance as the formidable P.L. Travers.
  • The film skillfully balances humor with poignant drama, exploring themes of childhood trauma and artistic integrity.
  • Tom Hanks is a charming and sympathetic Walt Disney, though the film occasionally leans into sentimentality.

Google audience: Audiences praised the film for its heartwarming story and exceptional acting, particularly from Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks. Many found the movie emotionally resonant and appreciated its look into the making of a classic film, although some felt it was a bit too sentimental at times.

Awards & Accolades

Emma Thompson received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama and a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The film also received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song ('Live and Let Die').

Fun Fact

During the filming of the scene where Walt Disney takes P.L. Travers for a ride on Disneyland's carousel, Tom Hanks genuinely attempted to sing the tune of "Chim Chim Cher-ee" to Emma Thompson, but she asked him to stop because she felt it would break the character's stubbornness.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
r96sk

r96sk

Utterly brilliant! I haven't watched <em>'Mary Poppins'</em> itself in many, many years but still have memories of it as a kid. That meant I had the desired knowledge of the key parts about that film, which I'd say is probably wise to wa...
Andres Gomez

Andres Gomez

Nicely done movie with great performances from Thompson and Hanks. Also Farrell, which a role made perfectly for him. The story is well threaded, letting us walk through Travers childhood and the birth of the main characters in Mary Popp...