Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
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Mary Poppins returns to the Banks family during the Great Depression to help them navigate a period of loss and financial hardship.
The story
Set in London during the Great Depression, the film follows Michael Banks, who lives in his childhood home with his three children after the death of his wife, Kate. The family faces financial ruin as their bank loan falls into arrears. When the children are struggling with the loss of their mother and the looming threat of their home being repossessed, Mary Poppins returns to them. She takes charge as their nanny, leading the children on various adventures while helping the family navigate their current hardships. The story explores the bond between the family members and the magical intervention of Mary Poppins in their lives.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
During the Great Depression, Michael Banks and his sister Jane care for Michael's three children following the death of his wife, Kate. Their home is threatened by the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank due to unpaid loans. When Mary Poppins reappears, she becomes the children's nanny. The children embark on adventures, including a journey into a giant porcelain bowl and a visit to Mary's cousin Topsy. Meanwhile, Michael and Jane search for a share certificate to save their home. As the deadline for repossession approaches, the children and Mary Poppins travel to Big Ben to 'turn back time' while Michael and Jane rush to the bank. They discover a hidden asset that saves their home. The film concludes with a celebration at a park, where Mary Poppins eventually departs, leaving the family with a sense of hope and magic.
- First release year
- 2018
- Runtime (minutes)
- 131
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Rob Marshall
- Writers
- David Magee · screenplay; David Magee · story; Rob Marshall · story; John DeLuca · story
- Cast and characters
- Emily Blunt · Mary Poppins; Lin-Manuel Miranda · Jack; Ben Whishaw · Michael Banks; Emily Mortimer · Jane Banks; Julie Walters · Ellen; Colin Firth · William "Weatherall" Wilkins; Meryl Streep · Topsy; Dick Van Dyke · Mr. Dawes Jr.
- Genres
- musical; fantasy; comedy
- Themes
- nostalgia; family; magic
- Tone and mood
- whimsical; nostalgic
- Premise and plot tags
- musical; fantasy; comedy; sequel; period piece
- Source material / true-story basis
- the book series Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers
- Franchise connections
- Mary Poppins
- Content notes
- family-friendly
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances, direction, visuals, musical score, and sense of nostalgia, though some found it too derivative of its predecessor.
- Reported review scores
- PostTrak · score: 84 · scale: percent
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe · Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy · nomination; Screen Actors Guild · nomination for Blunt · nomination; Oscar · Best Original Score · nomination; Oscar · Best Original Song ("The Place Where Lost Things Go") · nomination; Oscar · Best Production Design · nomination; Oscar · Best Costume Design · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film marks the longest interval between a live-action film and its sequel in cinematic history, at 54 years.; The character of Mr. Dawes Jr. was played by Dick Van Dyke, who also played Bert and Mr. Dawes Sr. in the 1964 film.; The role of the Balloon Lady was originally intended for Julie Andrews.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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