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Saving Mr. Banks Review

Screen Shot 2014-02-16 at 3.46.31 PMI adore this movie…and I don’t remember the last time that a movie had my crying one minute and laughing the next. It’s a roller coaster ride for sure, but an excellent one.

Saving Mr. Banks was released on dvd on March 18th and you can order your copy for $22.99 on Amazon right now. This is definitely one to add to your collection. On that note, it’s not at all a kid’s movie, and I actually kind of enjoyed the fact that Disney made a film for grownups that still has that Disney kick to it.

About: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment proudly announces the home entertainment release of the heartwarming drama Saving Mr. Banks!

Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson bring to life the untold true story about the origins of one of the most treasured Disney classics of all time. John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side) directs this acclaimed film, which reveals the surprising backstory behind the making ofMary Poppins. Determined to fulfill a promise to his daughters, Walt Disney (Hanks) tries for twenty years to obtain the rights to author P.L. Travers’ (Thompson) beloved book. Armed with his iconic creative vision, Walt pulls out all the stops, but the uncompromising Travers won’t budge. Only when he reaches into his own complicated childhood does Walt discover the truth about the ghosts that haunt Travers, and together, the set Mary Poppins free.

Featuring a stellar supporting cast that includes Colin Farrell (Total Recall), Paul Giamatti (Sideways), Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore), Bradley Whitford (TV’s The West Wing), Annie Rose Buckley (TV’s Home and Away), Ruth Wilson (The Lone Ranger), B.J. Novak (TV’s The Office), Rachel Griffiths (TV’s Brothers & Sisters) and Kathy Baker (Edward Scissorhands), Saving Mr. Bankswas directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, The Rookie), produced by Alison Owen, Ian Collie and Philip Steuer, and written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith. Executive producers are Paul Trijbits, Andrew Mason, Troy Lum and Christine Langan.

On Blu-ray and Digital HD, Saving Mr. Banks sweeps viewers away with enchanting high definition picture and sound, plus delightful, never-before-seen bonus features, including “The Walt Disney Studios: From Poppins to Present,” in which director John Lee Hancock takes viewers on an insider’s tour of Disney Studios today and reflects on studio life during the creation of Mary Poppins. Additional bonus materials include “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” in which the film’s cast and crew sing an impromptu version of the iconic song on set during the last day of shooting, and deleted Scenes.

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My thoughts: I really wasn’t expecting to be as moved by this film as I was. I was laughing, crying, laughing again and then at one point sobbing. This movie hits so many emotions, and I suspect that this will vary by person, depending on your life experiences. For me, the film was an emotional journey that I am still trying to work through…and I am dying to see it again.

On a simple level, it’s a wonderful story about how Walt Disney followed through on a promise that he made to his daughters, to bring their favorite story of Mary Poppins to the big screen.

The thing is, this movie is ANYTHING but simple. What unfolds during Walt’s journey to buy the rights to a film,  is a lifetime of emotions and feelings, connections (both good, bad and otherwise) all rolled together in amazing Disney fashion. It’s a story of how connected we each are to our own stories. It’s about loving, and really, letting go. (or NOT letting go, you can decide).

It’s also a story about relationships, and there are quite a few of them in this film but the two that gripped me the most were the relationship that young P.L. Travers had with her father (shown above), and the relationship that a much older P.L. Travers had with her driver, Ralph (shown below). I don’t want to spoil too much for you (I hate spoilers!) but I loved that Disney made these relationships seem real, and deep,  and I loved watching the actual connections that people make, when and if they choose too.

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Who is this movie for? I actually went into this screening thinking that this might be a family movie. It’s definitely not for small kids, in fact, I am not sure what age would be appropriate to see this film. It’s deep and sometimes dark. While I think that a lot of the emotional chaos will be over their heads, there are some very dark and ugly glimpses into disfunction that I just don’t think a child would need to see. As an adult though, I found it really REAL and though provoking, and one that many people can relate to.

Saving Mr. Banks is honestly one of the best films that I have seen in years, so while it’s not for children, I love the messages and insights that it gave me as an adult. Super thought provoking and like I said, I can’t wait to see it again, as I am still sorting through some of the details myself!

Don’t forget! In celebration of it’s 50 years of success as a classic, Disney just released the Mary Poppins: 50th Anniversary Edition DVD.

Meet the author – Keri Lyn

The creative and frugal mind behind She Saved for over 12 years now, Keri Lyn shares her adventures in parenting along with her love for family travel, country living and brand marketing. A self-proclaimed “brand loyalist”, Keri Lyn is known for her strong and enthusiastic voice when it comes to the products and brands that she loves. She Saved has become a community for like-minded consumers who appreciate saving money, time and sanity by getting the best deals on quality products and experiences.

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