Surprised by Saving Mr. Banks...Just Got Back from the Theater....

[*NikkiBell*]

I wasn't overly excited about seeing Saving Mr. Banks. Seeing Tom Hanks portray a legend like Walt Disney wasn't something that was sitting right with me. However, I went this afternoon and found myself in utter awe of this movie. It was pure brilliance and an example of incredible Disney storytelling.

I found myself having a true emotional connection throughout the film especially the second half. In fact, because I was so skeptical of Tom Hanks playing Walt, I found myself having trouble seeing him as anything but himself...that is, until midway through. There's a scene involving Walt at Mrs. Travers' house in England; he was telling a story of his childhood and I got chills. He was no longer Tom Hanks and truly mimicked mannerisms, dialect, and facial expressions of Walt perfectly. I picked up on these things a few times during the first part of the movie, but this is where it really hit me.

Bravo to all who worked on this outstanding film. It was amazing!

 

[fabulousfive]

Good to hear! We're excited to see it. Although my young kids really want to see it. What makes it PG13? I was surprised as I really thought it would be PG.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I would be surprised if children enjoyed this. It is more of an adult film.

 

[fabulousfive]

I would be surprised if children enjoyed this. It is more of an adult film.

Interesting, thanks!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Interesting, thanks!

Here's a review and parents' guide that might help you decide...

http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2013/12/19/review-saving-mr-banks/

 

[tajz90]

It's a great movie. Walt is a side story almost. The story is a wonderful tale. Wow. I was blown away. Totally not what I envisioned.

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks for the review Nikki. Val & I are probably going to see it next week.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

Just got home from seeing the movie. It was brilliantly storytelling. Emma Thompson was phenomenal. She really is the star of the movie. Tom Hanks did a great job too. I love seeing Walt brought to life on screen. The story of Traverse's life is very emotional and the reason it is PG 13 is because of the struggles her father deals with in the movie. I loved the actor who played him. What a wonderful portrayal.

Edited to add that this is not a movie for kids. The average age in the theater was probably 55. Only one child was in the theater. My kids would not have enjoyed it at all.

 

[fabulousfive]

Here's a review and parents' guide that might help you decide... http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2013/12/19/review-saving-mr-banks/

Super helpful, thanks!

 

[tajz90]

We saw this movie as a family consisting of a 67 yr old, 43, 21 & 15. We all enjoyed it very much. So emotional.

 

[disneysteve]

This will be our Christmas day movie (before the Chinese food - a traditional Jewish Christmas celebration ). Looking forward to it with all the good things I've been hearing.

 

[scjo68]

Saw it today. Loved It! I agree it is more adult in tone- not that there was really anything terribly inappropriate. Just mature and serious in subject matter. Also, I don't know that it would hold a child's attention. I did not take my 9 year old. There were children in our theater, but they were frequently fidgeting, asking to go to the restroom, get more popcorn, etc.

 

[Batgirl67]

My parents and I (46, 70 and 71) all enjoyed the movie and all of us needed tissues at some point or another.

All the actors cast were BRILLIANT! No small parts here as they all made themselves poignant parts of the overall theme.

I agree that young children will find it hard to sit through. The themes are very mature, not graphic or distasteful or rude just mature.

Cheers!

Lisa

 

[Pooh2]

Agree! Best quality movie I have seen in awhile!

 

[lugnut33]

Me and my daughter (13 years old) saw it and we both loved it. BTW, I loved Paul Giamatti in this film, his character was so good.

 

[GAN]

Awesome to hear such good reviews -might head out today to go see it!

 

[Golf4food]

Saw it yesterday. Great movie. Not what I was expecting. Much more emotional and draining. Brilliantyly done. Thompson was brilliant and Hanks did a great job capturing Walt. They even threw in some studio lingo like "Man is in the forest" aka Walt is coming. Need to see it again, but probably not until the bluray comes out. Even then it is one I could only watch a couple of times per year due to the heavy nature of the story.

 

[Pixie Princess]

There's a scene involving Walt at Mrs. Travers' house in England; he was telling a story of his childhood and I got chills. He was no longer Tom Hanks and truly mimicked mannerisms, dialect, and facial expressions of Walt perfectly.

I was crying in this scene. It was so well played by Tom Hanks. It was definitely his shining moment of the film. My DD13 and I saw it yesterday, and we both enjoyed it very much. The best movie I've seen in quite a while.

All of the performances were outstanding, but Colin Farrell had better get an Oscar for his portrayal of Travers Goff. If he doesn't something is seriously wrong with Academy voters. He was amazing! I also loved Jason Schwartzman's portrayal of Richard Sherman. I'm no Richard Sherman expert, but I felt Jason perfectly captured the Richard Sherman I've seen in interviews etc. I just wish that BJ Novak had gotten more screen time as Robert Sherman. Hoping there will be some deleted scenes featuring him once the movie is released on DVD & Blu-Ray.

As a Disney fan, the best part of film for me was the credits. Sit through them, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Golf4food]

As a Disney fan, the best part of film for me was the credits. Sit through them, you won't be disappointed.

The credits were great.

When they started the audio clip of PL from one of the sessions, everyone in the theater stopped moving - people going down the stairs, people standing to leave, people already down - eveything stopped and it was quiet as a mouse while everyone listened to the audio. I've never seen that happen in a theater before. It was awesome.

 

[disneysteve]

The credits were great.

When they started the audio clip of PL from one of the sessions

I thought using the original tape was brilliant. A perfect ending for a wonderful movie.