I know this topic has been done to absolute death on blogs and when I started writing more Disney related posts a couple of months ago, I thought I wouldn’t bother writing about my favourite films because like, does anyone really care? But after I put a poll out with a couple of Disney-related options on it, it turns out, that people do actually like reading these posts. If you’re a Disney fan, you’re going to be interested in what Disney things other Disney fans like – I assume!
As well as it’s memorable characters, uplifting moments and incredible songs, Disney films are also often known for their extremely emotional scenes. It doesn’t matter that it’s an animation or that you’re 23 years-old – some Disney films will never fail to make you cry. Here’s 5 of my most heart-wrenching Disney moments, although it was extremely hard to narrow down!
What it’s about: Author P.L. Travers reflects on her childhood after reluctantly meeting with Walt Disney, who seeks to adapt her Mary Poppins books for the big screen.
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Rating: PG
Director: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Ruth Wilson
Review: Out of all the amazing films that have been out recently, most of which are up for Oscar nominations this one was hands down my favourite. I don’t know whether it’s because I love Disney or because of Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson but I knew from the second the film started I was going to love it. It kept me entertained and filled with emotion from the beginning to the end. Saving Mr Banks is the story behind the famous tale of Mary Poppins and the writer, P.L Travers reluctance to sell Walt Disney the rights to make her story into a film. With a series of flashbacks, she reflects on her childhood and it slowly begins to unfold where the story of Mary Poppins came from. At first, I was a bit confused as to why it was called Saving Mr Banks. I knew it was the story behind Mary Poppins but until you watch the film you won’t really know or understand the meaning behind the film’s title. Having watched it now though, the title fits perfectly.
You hear a lot of sayings and phrases you will know from the original Mary Poppins film as you go along which I loved! Emma Thompson plays P.L Travers and is outstanding. She is without a doubt one of the best British actresses of today and this film really allowed her to showcase her talents to the maximum. The character, P.L Travers is fantastic and I enjoyed the flashbacks of her childhood – in which Colin Farrell plays her father – which allows you to get a glimpse of the back story of Mary Poppins – the more grittier side that you don’t necessarily see and I love how she opens up more and more throughout the film – it’s really heart-warming to see. She really is the definition of British in this movie – the fact that she orders a pot of tea at the bar says it all really! Tom Hanks plays the role of Walt Disney and good God what on Earth can I even say about this actor that does the man justice? I get star struck just watching him. He plays an absolutely fantastic Walt Disney. He pulls off his look quite well but gets his voice, mannerisms, character and charm down to a T. Whichever character Hanks plays is enchanting – you literally cannot take your eyes off of him. Both these characters worked really well on screen together – they were very contrasting but at the same time had a lot of common ground. The entire cast of this film was great.
I found the ending a little abrupt and I wasn’t expecting it to finish where it did but thinking about it now, it finished on quite a perfect note. The final scene where they’re at the première of Mary Poppins and she’s watching the actual film for the first time on the big screen is so incredibly emotional – that part broke me completely. I was crying with sadness and happiness all at the same time. It has a really wonderful back story and will definitely make you watch Mary Poppins completely differently the next time you see it. If this is an accurate portrayal, which I’m pretty sure it is, it does make you wonder how this film ever got made with P.L Travers being so picky and bossy and specific about everything but I did love that about her. I don’t think Mary Poppins would have been the same if she wasn’t. It was really eye-opening and you do learn so much from this film. It was a wonderful, warm, funny, emotional film for Disney and Mary Poppins fans and opens your eyes and your hearts to the real story behind one of the most well-known films ever made.
