Everyone knew that if double Oscar winners Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson ever acted together, it would result in another Oscar worthy performance from the two. What no one knew was that the film chosen to bring the two together would be as simple as Saving Mr Banks where they will portray real-life characters of Walt Disney and P. L. Travers and the amusing ‘tussle’ between the two greats!

You think Mary Poppins is saving the children, Mr. Disney?

Saving Mr Banks is about the final stages of the negotiations between Walt Disney (Tom Hanks in an Oscar worthy role) and author P. L. Travers (Emma Thompson in an equally important role) and how he managed to tame into giving him the rights of Mary Poppins. It is part of the Disney folklore that it took nearly 2 decades for ‘Uncle Walt’ to convince the author, but what went behind the scenes is for once brought on screen in this John Lee Hancock movie.

How many of you knew that the author suddenly acquired aversion to the colour red, didn’t want Dick Van Dyke in the lead role and was against the use of animation in ‘her’ movie?  Saving Mr Banks moves in two timelines – one in 1961 California where ‘Walt and Pam’ discuss the movie rights and the other in the early part of the century where the author’s father Travers Goff (Colin Farrell) – a banker who succumbs to alcohol – teaches his daughters to never stop dreaming. How the two stories become related to each other is what makes this film nothing short of outstanding.

Sad is entirely the wrong emotion!

While Tom Hanks’ cunning but jolly Walt Disney charms his way through the movie, Emma Thompson’s snippy “Mrs. Travers”  fights with the Mickey Mouse creator every step of the way. She doesn’t let go of her treasured creation easily and in reality didn’t like Mary Poppins the movie. But that’s not the case here. Things between Walt Disney and Pam are shown to have changed after their trip to the happiest place on Earth – Disneyland – but not after bringing many to tears with their masterful performances.

It is blasphemy to drink tea from a paper cup!

Emma Thompson portrays the grouchy P. L. Travers to perfection. From criticizing the air of California (it smells of

chlorine and sweat, she says) to the decision of using animated penguins in the movie version of her book, she hates everything around her. Not once do you feel that Ms. Thompson is acting because she looks convincing as an author whose books have done well. She gets angry when referred to as ‘Pam’ or when someone addresses her character improperly ("Never call her Mary, it’s Mary Poppins!") or even when she sees a person drinking tea from a paper cup! Despite all the idiosyncrasies, she has a tender heart which Walt Disney knows how to mould – and eventually he has his way.

And then there is the wonderful Colin Farrell who plays the loving but alcoholic father to perfection. The actor portrays a man who doesn’t care what the world thinks of him but loves his daughters – especially the young Helen (Annie Rose Buckley) adores him. The young actress is loveable in every frame she is in and is so full of life that you actually feel sad for her as the movie progresses. Paul Giamatti is likeable in the role of Pamela’s chauffer Ralph while Jason Schwartzman and B. J. Novak’s Sherman brothers must be commended for their ‘responstibe’ acting.

Not to be missed!

Saving Mr Banks maybe about the clash of personalities but it is laced with splendid performances that would charm their way even into the heart of Mr Banks himself! In reality, the author didn’t like what the house of Disney did to her book but then Mary Poppins wasn’t made for her. It was made for the countless children around the world including the two Mr. Disney promised – his two daughters – that one day he will make Mary Poppins into a feature film. The Julie Andrews-starrer is still considered as one of the best musicals ever made and if you have loved it, then there is no reason why you should miss Saving Mr Banks. It worked for me and it will surely work for you. This one is Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Rating: 4/5

Omair Alavi works for Geo TV and can be contacted at omair78@gmail.com

*CINEMATIC SUICIDE
**FORGETTABLE
***WATCHABLE
****COLLECTIBLE
*****AWARD-WORTHY