An antagonist who deserves a happy ending
Well, Mary Poppins. Her name says it all. She is the most famous live-action character of Disney and became a household name for many generations. Before her glorious appearance in Disney’s legacy, she was a popular protagonist in P.L Travers’ children book series. Unlike Finding Neverland and Goodbye Christopher Robin, Saving Mr. Banks is not completely about the creation process of the fictional character, but rather a negotiation between the author of the book and Walt Disney. They were finding the most perfect translation of Mary Poppins onto the big screen.
In 1961, P.L Travers (Emma Thompson) dealt with the financial issue. In need of money, she went to Los Angeles to meet Walt Disney (Tom Hanks), a businessman she felt despicable of. Disney tried to pursue the film rights to Travers’ stories for 20 years, yet the answer was still “no”. This time, she was also not that eager to sign the contract if Disney did not follow her standards.
After her arrival to L.A, she met a nice chauffeur Ralph (Paul Giamatti), who then grew a friendship with her in later scenes. She also met Walt Disney’s creative team: Don Dagradi (Bradley Whitford), co-writer of the screenplay for Mary Poppins, Richard M.Sherman (Jason Schwartzman), Robert B. Sherman (B.J Novak)
- the composers and lyricists. Disney already illustrated the characters, the setting, and was on the edge of finishing the script and songs, all was objected by dissatisfied P.L Travers. She was harsh, irritated and requested a lot of changes in terms of the creation. She recalled her father’s word: “They cannot make us bear their reality.”
The movie uses flashbacks from P.L Travers’ past to explain her decision. In her childhood, there was a caring father Travers Robert Goff (Colin Farrell), who loved her daughter with all his heart. Sadly, he was unemployed and suffered from alcoholism. The fact that she loved and admired her dad so much that her dad’s suffering and miserable death shocked her. The past scenes also revealed how she was inspired to create Mary Poppins from real events and real characters (Obviously, The Banks family was an adaptation of hers, and Mary Poppins’ personality was akin to her grand-aunt).
Paralleling with P.L’s Travers story, Disney’s life was also revealed. Tom Hanks’ brilliant acting skill depicts a Walt Disney that was business savvy, solution-oriented, humor and bond close relationship with employees. He was also a warm-hearted dad who tried to keep the promise to his daughters.
Near the end, Walt Disney arrived in London to persuade Travers again. This time, he shared his own past story about his dad, and showed empathy for P.L Travers’ story. He began the conversation: “I have my own Mr. Banks.” They finally understood each other about the different depiction of George Banks. Disney eased Travers’ pain towards her dad: “We all have the sad tales, don’t you want to finish their starting?” He learnt the meaning of Mary Poppins: “It’s not the children she comes to save, it’s their fathers.” We can see from this scene that Disney's Mr. Banks is a combination of Travers Goff and Elias Disney (Walt Disney's dad).
It’s not the children she comes to save, it’s their fathers.
Saving Mr. Banks is loved by the public and received many awards. The brilliant performance of Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks contribute largely to its success. The charming supporting casts with dynamic characters add a bonus point to the film. Everything was perfectly done, from the screenplay to the setting.
Despite that, there were controversial opinions about the film, mostly coming from its content.
Candice Frederick from Reel Talk Online commented:
“... it follows the Disney modus operandi of ultimately exalting even the most unlikable characters in order to satisfy their traditional family audiences.”
As in the real life, Disney was not as ideal as in the movie, and in the end, instead of being touched by the Mary Poppins' premiere like in the movie, P.L Travers hated it so much that she refused to let Disney make other movies of Mary Poppins. Many critics also pointed out that in real life, the author is not as unbearable as in the movie.
David Thomson from The New Republic noted that:
“I have consulted with people who adored the film as children, and not one of them recollects the saved father as being a vague theme, let alone a present feeling in Mary Poppins.”
I may argue that although the character may just be an antagonist in Disney's adaptation but obviously, the real person (Travers Robert Goff) was a huge inspiration for the creation of the book and had a great influence on P.L Travers’ life.
Saving Mr Banks is an impressive movie about two completely different people who fight for what is important only to them, and are connected by a woman they both love- Mary Poppins. It is a must watch film for those who love this iconic character, or are interested in Walt Disney. After finish watching the movie, I finally can fully understand the movie’s title.
Everyone can find a past to let go and a person to forgive.
Watch Saving Mr. Banks trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5kYmrjongg
Nat's Rating:
Reference:
Frederick C, 2013, ‘A Review of SAVING MR. BANKS, By Someone Who's Never Seen MARY POPPINS’, Reeltalkonline, blog post, 9 December, viewed 25 July 2018, <http://www.reeltalkonline.org/2013/12/a-review-of-saving-mr-banks-by-someone.html>.
History Vs Hollywood, n.d, ‘SAVING MR.BANKS (2013)’, History Vs Hollywood, viewed 25 July 2018, <http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/saving-mr-banks.php>.
Thomson D, 2013, ‘Saving Mr. Banks is a Two-Hour Disney Commercial’, The New Republic, 20 December, viewed 26 July, <https://newrepublic.com/article/116004/saving-mr-banks-tom-hanks-and-emma-thomson-reviewed>.
Disney 2013, Saving Mr. Banks Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Tom Hanks, Youtube, 11 July, Movieclips trailers, viewed 25 July 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5kYmrjongg>.
Saving Mr. Banks 2013, motion picture, Walt Disney Studios, Burbank, Southern California, The United States, Owen A, Producer, John Lee Handcok, Director.
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