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"Saving Mr. Banks", Art, Authors, Books, Creativity, Film, Pamela L. Travers, Reading, Walt Disney, Women, Writers, Writing
— Walt Disney Pictures.
Disney’s newest dramatic offering, Saving Mr. Banks, made a quiet splash over Christmas. But for all it’s unobtrusiveness, the story of how Walt Disney finally convinced the reluctant author ofMary Poppins, Pamela L. Travers, to allow him to make her beloved novel into a movie is one of the best films to come out of the studio in some time. The performances are stellar, there are plenty of decent reviews out there, and this post is not meant to be another, except to say that in spite of all the contested opinions about the key players and how they are represented, the movie stands on its own as a good story. However, the film also deals with two important themes that are either overlooked or only briefly mentioned in the reviews, but which offer two key reasons why you should see it. (Read more. . . )
Persephone Writes 
Interesting! Most of what I’ve heard from my Children’s Lit-friends has been negative, but I like the way you’ve connected the movie’s message with Tolkien’s. I haven’t been out to the movies in months, but maybe I’ll catch this one when it hits Netflix. 🙂
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I’m a children’s lit aficionado/advocate/snob/teacher and I found absolutely nothing in this film that any other such as myself could find objectionable. As I mentioned in my piece, the film stands alone regardless of whatever issues people may (justly) have with Disney studios or whatever. Its a wonderful film and a great story and of course, there’s Emma. 🙂 I think if you watch it as a film and for the story it is trying to tell, you will find much to appreciate. There’s no real agenda and the portrayal of Disney is honest and not wholly flattering. I wrote a post on the film Anonymous a while back — all the Shakespeareans hated it, but I really liked it and felt like I made a good case why it could be appreciated as a story, outside of any literary political maneuvering. Same goes for here. Let me know what you think if you end up going to see it. And girl, yes, hie thee hence to the cinema!!!!
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yeah, I can’t deal with the whole Anonymous thing — mostly because most non-Stratfordians’ views are classist in the extreme. And wrong. Did I mention wrong? Drives me crazy.
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You have neatly pinpointed why I was so terrified of seeing two recent movies that (in my opinion, and to my great relief) stayed faithful to the books on which they were based: Life of Pi and The Book Thief. Still, I advise people to read the books before seeing the movies. I guess some interpret this as being snobbish, but it helps to know that others understand. I now know I WON’T bother to see the latest Hobbit; thanks for the heads up.
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I am glad to hear about Life of Pi and The Book Thief — thank you! But as you say, I need to read the books before seeing both films. The writer in me is a stickler for that. I hope you enjoy Saving Mr. Banks — it’s a wonderful film.
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