Saving Mr. Banks Directed by: John Lee Hancock Starring: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Jason Schwartzman Rating: PG-13 Release Date: December 13, 2013 (limited)
Trailer Score: 7/10
Thoughts by TSR: I try to see all the Oscar nominees in a given year. Occasionally, though, one or two slip past for one reason or another. An example of this is John Lee Hancock’s The Blind Side which brought Sandra Bullock her first Oscar. I simply had no interest before, during, or after the time it became clear Bullock was going to take the trophy. I don’t suspect we’re going to have the same problem with Saving Mr. Banks. While that doesn’t mean I think this is a great trailer, the charms of Disneyland, Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, and the supporting cast are enough to make this one look like a good time.
Here’s the thing: I’ve never been to Disneyland. I know, my family wasn’t the vacationing type, and I’ve sadly never won the Super Bowl. That’s okay, I had a bad experience with a tilt-a-whirl once, so rides aren’t really my cup of tea. Still, I can sense some Disney magic in this trailer. The shot of Tom Hanks as Walt Disney waving in front of Mickey Mouse’s face is particularly great. Speaking of Hanks, his jovial Disney and Thompson’s more uptight P.L. Travers (her name is Mrs. Travers, Mr. Disney) are a great pair, and probably enough to make this worthwhile no matter what. I also quite like the pairing of B.J. Novak and Jason Schwartzman. A handful of amusing moments are thanks to their Sherman Brothers working on songs for Mary Poppins.
It isn’t because I have a feeling I know how it ends, but the actual story of Walt Disney trying to get the rights to Travers’ book doesn’t look particularly enticing to me. The other elements are enough, though, to make Saving Mr. Banks seem like a charming and enjoyable picture.