Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks” explains the long, emotional, and stressful adventure of transforming the “Mary Poppins” novel into a major motion picture. The movie’s release is timed due to the 50th anniversary of “Mary Poppins” hitting theaters in 1964, introducing the movie that will forever be a classic. The movie’s mix of animation and live action cemented Mr. Walt Disney’s status as a movie maker of innovation and vision.

“Saving Mr. Banks” first scene takes place in author P.L. Travers’ small but luxurious home in London, England. From this scene, audiences learn that Travers would soon be experiencing financial issues unless she either writes another book or agrees to give Walt Disney the rights to turn her novel “Mary Poppins” into a movie, after 20 years of denying his requests.

Travers agrees to work with Disney on a script, but clearly states she will not sign off on publication rights unless she is thoroughly pleased. The process of working with the script writers is exhausting for Travers, bringing back memories from her own family life. Since Mary Poppins and the Banks’ family were a personal influence to Travers’ life, she was harsh, uncompromising, and extremely stubborn. Emotions are high as audiences are occasionally taken back in time to see the relations between the plots of both “Mary Poppins” and Travers’ background. The flashbacks allow us to enter into the author’s life and experience the connections ourselves.

Emma Thompson stars as P.L. Travers and successfully captures the emotional and stubborn characteristics of her character while we experience the struggles and hardships of her life. Thompson is able to work well with her co-star Tom Hanks as Walt Disney. Hanks not only physically resembles Disney but also portrays his character as a caring, hard-working, and personable individual. These main characters were able to work together to accurately represent the relationship between Travers and Disney 50 years ago.

“Saving Mr. Banks” fills the audience with a longing to immediately go home and watch the original “Mary Poppins.” Perfectly capturing the essence of London, Hollywood, and Travers’ childhood home in Australia, the movie stirs up emotions as audiences travel through the interesting and complex process of how the classic Mary Poppins film came about.