Disney fan that I am, I took great pleasure in the opportunity to see “Saving Mr. Banks” in theaters a few days ago.  I have so many thoughts and feelings about the film, but first, a little insight.

Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks” is the backstory on how Walt Disney himself spent 20 years pursuing the author of Mary Poppins, trying to get her to release the rights to her book so that he could make a movie from it.  P.L. Travers, the author, finally begrudgingly went to Hollywood and met with Walt, but she was unhappy about it from beginning to end.  As she very clearly stated, Mary is family to her, and she didn’t want to let her go.  She fought them tooth and nail on every detail that was going into the movie, and was most unhappy about it being a musical with animation, which is the only kind of film Disney had produced up until then.  That absolutely crossed the line!  As the movie progresses, with scenes from P.L.’s childhood dropped in throughout, you begin to see how her life shaped the stories that became the books, and eventually, begrudgingly, the movie.  While you never really fall in love with P.L. Travers, you do understand her, and based on your own experiences, perhaps even empathize with her.

The cast of “Saving Mr. Banks” was spot on!  Tom Hanks was a wonderful Walt Disney (who it seems was a distant cousin of his!), and the beautiful Emma Thompson brought P.L. Travers to life with her well practiced surly frown and creased brow.  I dearly love both of these actors and greatly enjoyed watching them on the big screen for hours.  Another person I loved seeing was Paul Giamatti as the driver for Mrs. Travers while she was in Hollywood.  His character unfolds as the movie progresses, making him something special and a nice addition to the cast.  An actor I wasn’t expecting and who knocked me out with his skills was Colin Farrell.  He plays P.L. Travers’ father in the flashbacks.  I found him to be very versatile and able to become something I didn’t expect from one minute to the next.  His character was the most personal for me on several levels, and I found myself crying off and on because of him.  Well done, Colin!

Another impressive feat that the movie accomplished was setting the movie in the early sixties.  Everything felt authentic, from the clothing to the sets to the food.  (A Mickey Jell-O head was classic!)  But best of all was the walk through Disneyland, where everything looks as you’d expect, only perhaps a little newer and brighter.  Those scenes alone made me want to toss my responsibilities aside and head to Disneyland!

Directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side) and written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith, this movie is a must see for anyone who loves Disney or even a good biography.  Though I did some research following the movie and saw that there was a lot to P.L. Travers I didn’t know, I am still glad that the movie reflects Disney’s experiences with her and gave us some insight to our dear Mary Poppins.  Knowing now that there are multiple Mary books out there, and that my childhood is a little bit sadder having never read them, I think I know what books will be crossing our family path very soon.

The only recommendation I can make, beyond telling you to see this movie, is to not take your younger children.  There are a few reasons why this movie is rated PG-13, which I did not realize before bringing my 10 year old daughter with me.  The movie held a few moments that were beyond her understanding and maturity, as well as being a bit dull in parts for someone her age.  While I was riveted through the movie and crying buckets by the end, she was laying down on seats and asking if she could go for a walk.  Take a friend or your loved ones and enjoy this movie with people who will appreciate it as much as you.  Go on now — spit spot!

SAVING MR. BANKS opens in theaters limited on December 13th and opens wide on December 20th!

Merrie is a writer for the Jen is on a Journey and you can also find her at her blog, Sleepless Mornings: “I’m the mother of two beautiful children, newly engaged, a scrapbooker, a baker, and sometimes I’m even fun to be around!”

Media passes were provided to facilitate this review, all opinions my own.