Saving
Mr. Banks
(2013/Disney Blu-ray w/Digital Copy)
Picture:
A-/B Sound: B+/B Extras: C Film: B
Saving
Mr. Banks is
(loosely) based on the meeting of Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) and P.L.
Travers (Emma Thompson). Whereas the account is based on a true
story; Disney Studios didn't promote it as such. This is most likely
due to the fact that these is more fairy than fact to this tale as
Disney and Travers didn't have the best relationship; with the
turmoil extending much further than that was chronicled in this feel
good, family film.
Saving
Mr. Banks
focuses on the making of the film Mary
Poppins and
its difficulties getting off the ground. Walt Disney had promised
his children that he would make Mary
Poppins into
a film, but had the arduous task of getting the rights from P.L.
Travers. After some convincing Travers agreed to meet with Disney;
with him promising that she had final say on all things surrounding
the film. Travers was a no nonsense character; declaring no
animation, no singing, and certainly no Dick Van Dyke! This gave
Disney and his team of writers the laborious, grueling task of
showing Travers they could make a film that both she and the world
would love. The film rockets off on an adventure that has Disney
armed with a team of singers, songwriters, and other artists to
convince Travers his way is the right way; sharing some personal
stories along the way that allows the individuals to find a common
ground. It is without a doubt an inspiring Disney film (with Disney
himself center stage) that ends on a high note, with lessons learned
and joyous fanfare.
Well,
Disney managed to Disney-fy Disney! Confusing I know. Whereas I
appreciate and remain in awe of the retelling of this little known
event in entertainment history; my main gripe is that it was too
squeaky clean. Again, I am a huge fan of these biographical-like
films and whereas I know we will never get the whole truth; I prefer
ones that put it all out there every hair, wart, and mouse tail.
Now,
of course Disney Studios was not going to disparage their beloved
creator and brand; but a somewhat grittier look into this important
moment in time would have been refreshing. These inaccuracies are
present in emotion, events, and persona. Walt Disney (by all
historical accounts) was a long time chain smoker, never without a
cigarette in his hand; but to keep the illusion of a family friendly,
PC Disney no such mention was made in the film. Surely, a minor
thing but it does add a layer to who the man was and speaks to his
character; when behind the scenes he puffed away, but standing in
front of the world he was squeaky clean. The film also heavily
focuses on Disney's unrelenting quest to obtain full rights to story
of Mary
Poppins from
Travers; when in reality he had already secured those rights when she
was brought on as a consultant. This gave Walt Disney the upper hand
as Travers had a number of gripes with the film including but not
limited to the animated sequences, music, and dismissal of the
harsher aspects of Poppins' character. These were all gripes that
Walt ignored as he was quick to note she was already contractually
obligated and he had rights of final cut. At the end of the film we
see Pamela Travers have an emotional reaction and (seemingly) come to
terms with Disney's reimagining of her work at the film's premiere;
when in reality she was angered by the end result, bastardizing her
work. Travers and Disney never spoke again and she vowed to never
let him or his studio adapt a novel of hers again.
Of
course, there is reality and then there is what is on film. Would a
darker struggle between Disney and Travers have made a good film? I
don't know. But we will never know; as the DISNEY-FIED end result is
all we will have to go with. Then again, perhaps on a deeper level
the film may have been more subconsciously honest than we realize.
This is to say the happier account of Travers' and Disney's time
together in this film is exactly the type of historical manipulation
that angered Travers in the first place. Very meta.
The
technical features of this new Blu-ray release are fantastic. The
picture is a 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital high definition presentation that
does not disappoint. Shot on 35mm film rather than digital film
stock, Saving
Mr. Banks has
the warmth, texture, and seeming historical feel I was hoping for,
for this 1960's inspired tale. The creators of the film spent many
hours getting the look of the 1960's Disney Studios just right and it
is projected here on Blu-ray. There is a fine color palette, inky
blacks, a degree of grit/texture, and solid contrast. The film
overall looks wonderful. The sound is a bit subdued though well
balanced being a lossy, dialogue-heavy 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
lossless track mix. The surrounds do kick into gear when the Sherman
Bros music appears, as well as solid use for ambient noises and
panning effects.
The extras are all too
short, not featuring much to dive into. Extras include:
-
Michael P. Dougherty II
