Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
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The story
In London 1961, literary agent Diarmuid Russell urges financially strapped author Pamela "P. L." Travers to travel to Los Angeles to meet with Walt Disney. Disney has pursued the film rights to her Mary Poppins stories for 20 years, but Travers has steadfastly resisted his efforts, fearing what he will do to her character. Having written nothing new and her book royalties having dried up, she risks losing her house. Russell reminds her that Disney has agreed to two major stipulations before she finally agrees to go. The film explores the creative tension and personal history that emerge as the two figures attempt to collaborate on the iconic film.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1961, author P. L. Travers travels to Los Angeles to meet Walt Disney regarding the film rights to her Mary Poppins stories. The film intercuts her current negotiations with flashbacks to her difficult childhood in Queensland, Australia, which inspired the character of Mary Poppins. In Los Angeles, Travers meets Disney's creative team, including the Sherman brothers. Their collaboration is strained by Travers's protective nature over her characters and her disdain for the 'whimsy' of the production. After a series of disagreements, including a dispute over an unauthorized animation sequence, Travers returns to London. Disney follows her there, and they share a moment of personal connection regarding their respective childhoods. She eventually grants him the rights. In 1964, the film premieres at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Though initially reluctant, Travers becomes moved by the final product, particularly the portrayal of the character George Banks.
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 125
- Production countries
- Australia; United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John Lee Hancock
- Writers
- Kelly Marcel · writer; Sue Smith · writer
- Cast and characters
- Emma Thompson · Pamela "P. L." Travers; Tom Hanks · Walt Disney; Paul Giamatti · Ralph; Jason Schwartzman · Richard M. Sherman; Bradley Whitford · Don DaGradi; Colin Farrell · Travers Robert Goff; Ruth Wilson · Margaret Goff; B. J. Novak · Robert B. Sherman
- Genres
- biographical; drama; historical; comedy-drama
- Themes
- artistic integrity; parental influence; the cost of fame; creative collaboration
- Tone and mood
- sentimental; whimsical; serious
- Setting
- London, Los Angeles, and Queensland, Australia; 1906, 1961, and 1964.
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; historical; behind-the-scenes
- Franchise connections
- Mary Poppins
- Content notes
- alcoholism; suicide
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews and was commercially successful, grossing over $117 million at the worldwide box office.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 79% · scale: percentage · review count: 260; Metacritic · score: 65 · scale: 100 · review count: 46; CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Awards · Best Original Score · Nomination; Golden Globe Awards · Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama · Nomination; Empire Award · Best Actress · Win; National Board of Review Award · Best Actress · Win
- Production trivia
- The film was shot almost entirely in the Southern California area.; The film was based on a script that was initially developed as an independent production.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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