This film tells the story behind Disney’s iconic Mary Poppins, almost 50 years after its release. Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney, who for two decades tries to persuade curmudgeonly author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) to let him bring her beloved characters to life on the silver screen. Through flashbacks to Travers’ childhood, we learn of the heartache that inspired Mary Poppins, and the reason for her unceasingly prickly behavior with Disney and his staff. Although it has that unmistakable Disney gloss and a heaping dose of foot-tapping tunes, this film rises above a nostalgic peek into the magic behind the Hollywood machine. It is about art and its powers of redemption.
Should You See It? If you liked Mary Poppins, you’ll enjoy this film. —S.Z.
Viewed at Ronnie’s 20 Cine