In life, people transition through a number of stages, establish many plans, and set a variety of goals. However, when things get tough, some give up while others continue forward despite the challenges. In fact, it has been argued that the closer you are to your goal, the harder it is to see its fulfillment, but no matter what happens, “the show must go on.” This saying emphasizes that, particularly for those in show business, even when problems arise; people have to finish what they have started.

Saving Mr. Banks reiterates the idea of pressing on. A historical drama, this movie takes the audience into the life of Pamela Lyndon Travers (better known by her pen name P.L. Travers), the author of the popular children’s book, Mary Poppins. It chronicles her struggles to give up the rights to her book for a film adaptation. She is introduced to Walt Disney and the team in charge of the scriptwriting and filming of the book. Exposed to a different environment, she disapproves of nearly everything. On the other hand, the film illustrates Disney’s determination as he patiently but purposefully persuades Travers to agree to allow her book to be adapted into a film. This meeting between Disney and Travers is more like a battle than a discussion. The only difference is that they fight with words; with clashing motives, ideas, and plans, the two work out their differences as they attempt to reach a consensus.

The Director and the Cast

Directed by John Lee Hancock, who is known for directing The Blind Side and The Founder, Saving Mr. Banks takes the audience on a ride. Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, and other talented cast members portray real-life characters. Hank’s down-to-earth portrayal of Disney is natural, while Thompson accurately portrays Travers’ overbearing character. Farrell’s charming characterization of Travers Goff, the beloved but alcoholic father of Travers, and Giamatti’s humble portrayal of Travers’ driver are also worth mentioning, both helping to peel layers off her character.

The success of a film depends on classical factors like cast, director and producer. This is why it was very important for casting director Rona Kress to put together a director, producing, and acting team that would perfectly complement the film. The roles given to each of the actors were a blend of real-life characters and personalities. These actors and those responsible for the script, music, and animation have made it possible for Mary Poppins to fly out of the pages of the book. In an interview with director Hancock, he admitted at first that he did not think much of the script for Saving Mr. Banks. However, after reading it, he thought that it was cool and that exposing the childhood of Travers was like detective work.

Breaking Down the Mise-En-Scene

In Saving Mr. Banks, authenticity was a key factor. Filmed at different locations, a naturalistic mise-en-scene was used to create a world set in the 1930s that is both familiar and realistic. Moreover, different colors are used depending on the location, time, and situation, providing symbolic and emotional meaning. This can be observed in some parts of the film where Travers recalls a memory from the past and it shifts to the present.

The production design, including the set design, props, and wardrobe, places the movie in two timelines – one in 1961 where Disney and Travers work on the script for Mary Poppins. The other is in the early part of the century where Travers Goff, the father of PL Travers teaches her to keep dreaming. This establishes the condition of the characters and articulates the narrative, particularly by helping the audience to identify whether the circumstances and characters are still in the 1960s or appear in a flashback. In order to capture the 1960s feel, archival photography was used to determine the paint scheme while movie crew recreate the costumes, balloons; poster art and Floral Mickey to recapture Disneyland in 1961.

The props are also used to foreshadow future events. For instance, a pear that appears in the memories of Travers continues to haunt her during the negotiations over the filming of the book, while a stuffed Mickey Mouse serves as a connection between her and Walt Disney.

A Look at the Cinematography

Communicating a deeper meaning behind the images is the theme of the film. Even though the story is told mainly from Travers’ perspective, it presents the cruel realities of life as something that children should be prepared to deal with. Soft lighting techniques, panning camera movements, full shots, and over-the-shoulder angles are all used. The intensity, depth, and angle of the lighting directly influence the mood of gloomy or joyful scenes.

One particular scene in the movie is when Travers is invited by Disney to visit Disneyland. In this scene, the two of them walk down the street, and luminous high-key lighting is utilized to illustrate the happiest place on Earth. An eye-level shot is employed to make it appear as if the audience is facing the characters. Here, both Travers and Disney are placed at the center signifying that they are the main characters. However, Travers’ position is distant from Disney and the others at the park, illustrating how much she likes her space and how the two are not on friendly terms. This contrasts with Disney’s open and wide posture, indicating friendliness and open-mindedness, a characteristic that Disney was known for. With these elements added to a film, the audience can clearly distinguish the characters and what they stand for.

All of these elements are essential for the film. The music is also a crucial element of the overall tone of the film. It may be easy for the audience to watch a film like Saving Mr. Banks, but behind the scenes is all hard work and effort. The cast and crew have to work hand in hand to put together all of the elements, making them work despite the problems they may encounter during production and filming. As they say, “the show must go on.”

Film Information

Release Date: November 29, 2013

Director: John Lee Hancock

Cast: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti

Running time: 125 minutes

Genre: Drama, Comedy