Saving Mr Banks

 

• Released Internationally on 29/11/13
• Released in Malta by KRS on 29/11/13

Review (28/11/13)

3-word review: Unusual Disney Magic.

Most people alive today, or at least those in the western world, have had their childhood years sprinkled with Disney magic in some form or another. The baby boomers were around when Walt Disney himself was transforming the world of animation and family cinema; my generation got to savour the Mermaid-Beauty-Aladdin peak and all the unforgettable music it brought with it; and today’s children are spoilt for choice thanks to the excellent quality of recent offerings, especially the collaborations with Pixar. Mary Poppins has somehow persisted through all of this, with its most recent incarnation being a stage musical. A childhood without ever having heard the word ‘Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious’ is not one I would wish upon anyone.

The making of

Which is a large part of the reason why this very unique film has such a great, nostalgic appeal to it. It is basically an entertaining, moving, film version of what you normally would expect to find amongst the extras on a DVD set. It is essentially a behind-the-scenes look at how 1964’s Mary Poppins was made. The reason it makes for entertaining viewing is that the author of the Mary Poppins children’s books - a very British lady who went by the name of P. L. Travers - was a very hard nut to crack, and it took Walt Disney many years and tonnes of charm to draw her to tinsel town and let him make the musical version of her books that he had promised his daughters.

Nutcracker

There are few more enjoyable things to watch than a hard nut being slowly cracked, and acting goddess Emma Thompson is wonderful to watch as she slowly, and only very slightly, warms to the carefree Los Angeles ways and cautiously lets go of her precious literary creation. A large part of the persuasion process comes by way of the sublime music that the famous Sherman Brothers (portrayed here by B. J. Novak from The Office and Jason Schwartzman from The Darjeeling Limited) were composing at the peak of their powers, and which can still gets throats humming and toes tapping fifty years later.

Walt

Filling the powerful but warm role of the head of the Disney empire himself is Tom Hanks, who delivers yet another seemingly understated but ultimately excellent performance after his recent Captain Phillips, although if he gets any awards glory this year I imagine it will be for that, not this. His to-and-fro wrangling with Travers whilst never wavering in his determination to make the film he wanted to make is the stuff of warm drama films, not forgotten DVD extras, so I’m glad it has been given this first class treatment. These scenes are carefully woven in between scenes from Travers’ childhood, where her loving but unreliable father (Colin Farrell) was a clear inspiration for the imperfect Mr Banks, and where the events that followed explain her unwavering devotion to the characters in her books.

In the end

Ultimately, the film owes much of its feel-good factor and audience appeal to Mary Poppins itself, and even lifts a couple of songs for key scenes and touching moments. But the two stories are undeniably melded together, so it is a rare and wonderful joy to see this companion piece reach our cinema screens, and remind us of the excitement we felt, back when the winds were in the east, and the mist was coming in.

 

Trailers:

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/savingmrbanks/

The Blind Side

• Released Internationally on 20/11/09
• Released in Malta by KRS on 26/03/10

Preview (Published 01/03/10 in VIDA magazine)

In a nutshell

Based on a true story, this film chronicles the rise of a current professional American football player. Growing up as an obese, poor orphan, he shifts from one foster home to another until he is taken in by an affluent family, who help him reach his full potential, while learning a few lessons of their own.

Why we’re hyped

One type of film most people never get tired of is a good sports story. They invariably involve a hopeless underdog, and they invariably leave you with a lump in your throat by the end of it. From the religious racers of Chariots of Fire to the boyish charm of Rudy or the Mighty Ducks, sport has that magical, believable element that can prove moving and inspirational without needing to resort to fancy effects or incredible fiction.

Who’s in it?

Every good sports story needs a good coach, and Sandra Bullock has single-handedly brought this film lots of attention and headlines with her career-best performance as the mother of the family that takes the boy under their wing. At the time of writing, she is looking like the favourite to take home the Best Actress Oscar, unless Meryl Streep cooks up an upset. Quinton Aaron plays the underdog - a certain Michael Oher who currently plays in the NFL for the Baltimore Raven. Kathy Bates (Titanic, Misery) plays his tutor, and the film is directed by John Lee Hancock, who previously wrote the underrated gem A Perfect World and directed The Alamo.

Review (23/03/10)

It’s all good

One of the more straightforward ‘feel-good’ films of the year, this little gem has no reservations about presenting this modern rag-to-riches story in the simplest of fashions, without needing any major bad guys or periods of turmoil to interfere with the hero on his journey. It almost feels too good to be true, which is nothing to be ashamed of considering it’s based on a true story. There’s no doubt that Michael was lucky to be taken in by the Tuohy family, as their combination of altruism and endless resources was just what he needed to reach the heights he did. Some may argue that they could have touched more lives by distributing their donations rather than showering them on him, but that’s their business, so good for them (and him).

Waiting for his smile

Quinton Aaron gives a suitably reserved performance as the troubled ‘Big Mike’, and it works because we only gain access to his words, emotions and true character once the Tuohys do – a slow process of breaking down his defence mechanisms. This makes those moments when he breaks out into a genuine smile worth waiting for, as we realise that he knows full well what this adoptive family is sacrificing for him. Bullock’s performance is a break from her frequent clumsy roles, and she commands most of the screen time as the no-nonsense mum who wears the trousers in the Tuohy mansion and who is more used to showing her teeth than her softer side.

In the end

While many of us non-Americans might be slightly alienated by the lengthy details about American football and Oher’s choice of football scholarship, these are thankfully transcended by the true story of this social outcast who got lucky and had his life turned around by a loving family. We’ve seen it all before, but it’s still stirring to watch.

Trailer:

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/theblindside/