Movie Review: Saving Mr. Banks

I love Mary Poppins. As a younger child, I loved the movie, and I still love the movie today many years afterward. But something I had never known before was the story's origins, and that's where today's movie comes in. Though I have heard that it is largely inaccurate, Saving Mr. Banks is a movie that shines bright with memorable characters, a heartwarming story, and showcases some of Disney's best work while highlighting...some of Disney's best work. INCEPTION! Anyway, while some might argue this is a movie about Disney glorifying itself over the masterpiece that is Mary Poppins, I believe that this movie is so much more than that, and as of today is my favorite movie of 2013 (keep in mind that it isn't the best movie that I've seen in 2013). So sit back, relax, and read on as I review Saving Mr. Banks, and explain why I believe it to be such a great movie. 

The Setup:

Based off of a true story, Saving Mr. Banks begins in London in 1961, with our main protagonist P.L. Travers arguing with her assistant. She had been keeping the rights to her book, Mary Poppins, to herself for 20 years now, with Walt Disney still pining for the story to make into a movie. Finally, due to loss of money, P.L. Travers decides to go to Hollywood to discuss and plan the movie with Walt Disney himself, and the story begins. 

P.L. Travers takes a trip to Hollywood, California to plan the movie Marry Poppins

The Characters:  

Major props go to Emma Thompson right of the bat, because P.L. Travers is one of the most likably despicable characters I've ever seen. In other words, she was nasty and unflinching towards practically everyone in the series, but her dialogue was so hilarious and she was somehow so charismatic that you can't help but like her. You can also factor in the fact that she doesn't even want to work with Disney in the first place, explaining her biting personality. There are virtually no words that could describe how well Emma Thompson fit this role, to the point of which I actually forgot I was watching an actress on screen. If she doesn't get nominated for anything in the upcoming Oscars, then I'm fully prepared to march right up to the Academy and protest until she's on the list for Best Actress Nominees. Not to demerit Tom Hanks as Walt Disney, who did an excellent job. I thought Tom Hanks was good in Captain Phillips, but just to prove his talent, Walt Disney is a completely different character, and Tom Hanks nailed him. The side characters also really well-acted, though not nearly as memorable as the main leads. 

Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson both performed excellently as their characters

The Story:

The story is divided into two timelines. The first basically follows the creation of the Mary Poppins movie in 1961. The second follows P.L. Travers as a young child, showing the relationship she has with her alcoholic father in 1906. What I especially like about this type of storytelling is how it develops the character of P.L. Travers, learning more about her backstory and how the book Marry Poppins was created, and why P.L. Travers grew so attached to the world she created. I don't want to spoil anything, but it's actually really tragic.

The story flip-flopped between timelines, with one being about the relationship between P.L. Travers' relationship with her father

The Presentation:

The presentation of the movie isn't big and grand, but that wasn't the point of the movie anyway. The coloring, costumes, and settings were all perfect, matching the tone of the movie extraordinarily. The music, though not entirely memorable, fit the movie well while I was listening to it, so props for that.

The coloring and music fit the tone of the movie, but the music isn't the most memorable

Final Judgement:

Saving Mr. Banks is heartfelt, charming, and just very enjoyable. It has a fantastic character cast, creative and witty dialogue, is unique and refreshing, and its colors and music were spot on. Overall, I give Saving Mr. Banks a 4.75 out of 5, and a recommendation to watch it now! A movie like this is a rarity, and really should not be missed.

Oh, I see you reviewed my movie...

...and you can stay over there until you learn the art of subtlety. You were too obvious in your opening paragraph that you liked it!

Sorry, P.L. Travers. I just liked the movie so much, I couldn't help myself. Besides, it's your own opinion, and you like everyone else should have one.
ScoreCard: 

Further Recommendations:

Silver Linings Playbook
Heartfelt movie, anyone? This a great movie, through and through, very similar to Saving Mr. Banks in that respect. If you want a movie that has some darker elements to it but is just as satisfying, watch this movie.

Mary Poppins
You liked the creation of it, then why not see the movie itself? Enough said about that, this recommendation speaks for itself.