Saving Mr. Banks: A Comprehensive Review of Accuracy, Themes, and Characters

Ever wondered about the magic of "Mary Poppins"? Buckle up! "Saving Mr. Banks" explores how Walt Disney brought P.L. Travers's beloved character to the screen. It's enchanting but also frustrating, like a kite in a chimney. There’s much more to the story than spoonfuls of sugar.

The Truthiness Test: How Accurate is "Saving Mr. Banks"?

Let’s be clear: "Saving Mr. Banks" is based on real events but takes artistic liberties. Think of it as 'inspired by.' Fact-checking shows the core story is true, but some details were adjusted for cinema. Yes, Travers Goff was a romantic dreamer with drinking issues. However, the film makes him look more sympathetic than reality. It's Hollywood, not a history book.

The essence lies in Disney's pursuit of "Mary Poppins" rights and Travers's resistance. The movie is based on the book. True, but a lot of chaos and omitted details happened from page to screen.

The Heart of the Matter: What's "Saving Mr. Banks" Really About?

The title hints at the story. "Saving Mr. Banks" uses two timelines. We travel to 1906 Queensland for young Ginty’s childhood, where her father influences the character of Mr. Banks. Then we jump to 1961 Los Angeles for the clash between P.L. Travers and Walt Disney. It's a creative tug-of-war.

Basically, "Saving Mr. Banks" shows P.L. Travers, played by Emma Thompson, battling Walt Disney, charmingly played by Tom Hanks, over Mary Poppins’s soul. It explores creative control, personal struggles, and the challenges of adapting beloved stories.

Is "Saving Mr. Banks" Kid-Friendly? A Question of Spoons of Sugar

"Saving Mr. Banks" is seen as a good film with a solid Rotten Tomatoes rating. Most adults will enjoy it. For kids, it's more complicated. Despite being a Disney film, it lacks the usual razzle-dazzle. The emotional themes are mature and nuanced. It touches on alcoholism, trauma, and complex feelings. Thus, it may be more suited for older children and adults.

Guerrilla Filmmaking at Disneyland: Shhh, It's a Secret!

A fun tidbit: parts of "Saving Mr. Banks" were filmed at Disneyland without permission! Imagine sneaking into the cookie jar. This act of guerrilla filmmaking makes it part of an elite club. Filming a Disney movie at Disneyland without anyone knowing? It’s like a heist, only with Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks instead of movie stars.

Travers Goff: The Man Behind Mr. Banks

In "Saving Mr. Banks," P.L. Travers's father, Travers Goff, is a flawed but charismatic man. The film suggests he was an alcoholic working at a bank. This detail shapes the Banks family in "Mary Poppins." The name 'Banks' nods to his banking career and perhaps the instability of his life. Mr. Banks reflects Travers Goff—he struggles with responsibility.

P.L. Travers vs. Disney: A Creative Clash of Epic Proportions

P.L. Travers hated Disney's adaptation of "Mary Poppins." This was not a small issue; it was a creative disaster. She felt Disney had diluted her work significantly. It felt like handing over a crafted sculpture, only to return covered in glitter and candy—very likely her sentiment.

Her grievances included:

• Character Portrayal: In the books, Mary Poppins is strict and enigmatic, not a cheerful nanny like Julie Andrews portrays. Travers felt this softening stripped Mary Poppins of her complexity.
• Artistic Vision: Travers sought a blend of grounded elements and fantasy. Disney's approach magnified whimsy to overshadow emotional depth.
• Control Over Adaptation: This was the biggest issue. Travers felt excluded, her voice lost in Hollywood noise. She had little say in creative decisions regarding her work.

Essentially, Travers saw Disney missed the point entirely. The joyful music and animation seemed to betray her original vision. At the premiere, she famously wept—not from joy, but from profound disappointment.

Mary Poppins: More Than Just a Nanny

Why did Mary Poppins leave? This question hangs after the film ends. Mary didn’t come to fix the Banks children; she came to mend Mr. Banks himself. He was tangled in conflicting loyalties and emotional weight. Mary acts as a catalyst for his change, helping him rediscover joy and family connections. When the wind shifts, signaling her departure, it’s because her work is complete. She’s off to help another family in need.

Mary Poppins represents various parental ideals society often places on parents. She's nurturing, firm, fun, and wise—like the fantasy parent many wish they could be or have in life. The 'Mary Poppins metaphor' explores these expectations on modern parents, emphasizing that it involves more than just childcare.

And don’t overlook the film's morals. "Mary Poppins" isn't just catchy tunes; it teaches essential life lessons. Fun, kindness, and helping others are woven throughout the narrative. It's wisdom wrapped in spoonfuls of sugar, memorable for generations.

"Saving Mr. Banks" and "Mary Poppins": A Family Affair

Yes, "Saving Mr. Banks" directly relates to "Mary Poppins." It’s about how the film came to be behind the scenes. Consider it a prequel of sorts—the story before the story. It reveals the messy realities behind creative adaptation.

make sense of her past. Rewrite history through fantasy.

Plot Twist: Unpacking the Story of "Saving Mr. Banks"

The plot of "Saving Mr. Banks" begins with Walt Disney. He promises his daughters. He starts a quest for twenty years. He aims for the movie rights of "Mary Poppins." Twenty years is persistence. He resembles a dog after a bone, with a stubborn literary lioness named P.L. Travers.

Travers is grumpy and protective. She guards her creation fiercely. She distrusts Hollywood. She believes they'll ruin her characters in the soulless 'Hollywood machine.' As Poppins's gatekeeper, she stands firm.

However, fate intervenes. Dwindling book sales and finances force Travers to act. Reluctantly, she agrees to discuss with Disney. Skepticism is present. This leads to a dramatic showdown in sunny Los Angeles. There, creative clashes and emotional revelations emerge.

Meet the Players: Characters in "Saving Mr. Banks"

"Saving Mr. Banks" features a stellar cast bringing real and fictional characters to life:

• P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson): The prickly author of "Mary Poppins."
• Walt Disney (Tom Hanks): The optimistic and determined movie mogul.
• Travers Goff (Colin Farrell): P.L. Travers's troubled father.
• Ginty (Annie Rose Buckley): Young P.L. Travers observes her father.
• Ralph (Paul Giamatti): A fictionalized limousine driver in Los Angeles.

Many characters mirror real people, like Disney and Travers. Ralph is different. He isn’t a historical figure. He’s an 'amalgamation' of studio drivers. He offers warmth in Travers's isolated world. A friendly face during tough times.

Extra Sprinkles of "Mary Poppins" Magic and Trivia

Let's explore extra tidbits adding flavor to the "Mary Poppins" universe:

• Suffragette Symbolism: Set in 1910, Mrs. Banks symbolizes British suffragettes. Her activism reflects women's rights movements of the time, enriching the film’s context.
• Walt's Hideaway: Walt Disney had a private apartment above the firehouse at Disneyland. It served as his escape and a sanctuary within the park.
• Mr. Banks's Revelation: Mr. Banks tells Bert he feels tricked into the bank outing, revealing his work obsession. Bert suggests he neglects his role as a father. Truth often stings.
• Julie Andrews's Pregnancy: "Mary Poppins" without Julie Andrews seems wrong. Disney wanted Andrews and postponed production to accommodate her pregnancy.
• Mary Poppins Definition: "Mary Poppins" is in everyday language now. It means “someone whose behavior is too good to be true.” That's cultural impact.
• No Red Allowed!: P.L. Travers had a color vision for "Mary Poppins." She insisted red be removed from the film. Imagine production meetings discussing that!
• Disney's Near-Bankruptcy: "The Black Cauldron" (1985) nearly bankrupted Disney’s animation department. Even the House of Mouse faced financial troubles.
• Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Origin: "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is a made-up word. In "Mary Poppins," it means "something to say when you have nothing to say."

So, there you have it. "Saving Mr. Banks" and "Mary Poppins" intertwine creativity, compromise, and the power of stories. Whether you're a Disney fan, a literary purist, or someone who enjoys behind-the-scenes drama, both films offer layered experiences. Sometimes, even a spoonful of sugar holds creative struggles and Hollywood magic – sprinkled with guerrilla filmmaking spirit from Disneyland. For more details, Wikipedia is a good place to dive deeper.