Without sharing details of the movie, Saving Mr. Banks truly brings out the magic of Disney. The film tells two separate, but interwoven, stories. It tells the story of P.L. Travers and her childhood, which more than inspires her book, Mary Poppins, and it tells the story of how Walt Disney adapted it for the big screen. The movie gives viewers a charming behind-the-scenes feel as they watch these stories unfold. Tom Hanks, who plays Walt Disney, and Emma Thompson, who plays Ms. Travers, engage audience members throughout the film. As you watch tensions rise and fall between author and producer, you become frustrated when it seems like the movie will not happen, sad when you learn of the childhoods of Ms. Travers and Mr. Disney, and you feel excited and inspired as you watch them learn to work together.
In her book, Ms. Travers tells a story she knows all too well and defends every detail of it throughout the production of the movie. She fears that Mr. Disney will communicate the story for monetary gain or greed and will end up telling the wrong story. One can see this fear vividly and understandably as the story unfolds. Yet, towards the end of the film, you learn why she wants the story told in a certain way. You also realize there is much depth to Walt Disney and the stories he wanted to tell through his entertainment business. Saving Mr. Banks shows how Ms. Travers grew from the stories of her childhood and how Disney sought to help others grow from their childhood stories, as well.
What are stories that you want to tell?
