Saving Mr Banks

Also another favourite at the Oscars this year and also another tear-jerker - this 2013 biography-comedy-drama starring English Emma Thompson, American Tom Hanks, Irish Colin Farrell, American Paul Giamatti and American B.J. Novak to name a few was a movie that will change your view on Mary Poppins.  Writers Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith delved into the life of author P.L. Travers before her beloved book became a best-seller and also into the bizarre relationship she had with Walt Disney before her book became a bona-fide film. 

I’m not quite sure how much of this film is true but it gave viewers an inside look of P.L Traver’s idiosyncrasies’’ as well as why the story ‘Mary Poppins’ may have been her most passionate work. Emma Thompson wraps her heart and soul into this character splendidly. And gives us a hilarious look into the current and past perceptions of her mind. I was also taken aback by the phenomenal acting chops of usual bad-boy actor Colin Farrell on his remarkable transition into a loving but troubled father. Paul Giamatti also struck a chord with me - melding and committing to his role that was everything more than supporting but something much bigger.

Directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, Snow White and the Huntsman) this film was remarkably shot, casted, executed with a run-time of 125 minutes, 11 wins 56 other nominations and with an estimated budget of $35 million USD grossed an immense $83 million USD at the box-office. Viewers are reminded that family is really the most important relationships of all.