Saving Mr. Banks is a must see and definitely one of Disney’s greats, however, will it be considered a classic? Probably not. Based on the real life struggle of Walt Disney trying to procure the movie rights to her novel from the author of Mary Poppins, P.L. Travers, Banks does have sparks of a masterpiece in it.
The cast was already a deal maker with Tom Hanks as the man who made Disney himself, Walt Disney. Emma Thompson plays the stubborn, cold and proper P.L. Travers. The supporting cast doesn’t fall short either with Paul Giamatti as the loyal and kind limo driver and Colin Farrell as Travers Goff, the father of Travers. With just this great cast the theaters filled up on their own.
Banks has heart, funny moments, and parts that will make the viewer want to curl in to a ball and cry. It has the ability to whip an individual’s emotions wherever it pleases. At one moment an audience member will hate a character before being snapped into a whole new point of view after just one scene. Films are made to make the viewer feel, make them relate and take them on a journey. While watching Saving Mr.Banks the viewer feels almost as if they were in the studio with the Sherman brother’s themselves. It can take them to Disneyland with Walt Disney and lead them through the tales of Mary Poppins and the childhood of P.L. Travers.
Banks is a must see for any Disney fan, and even if you’re not, the story is so rich you’ll still be invested.