Director: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson and Colin Farell
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors are as beloved as Tom Hanks. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1980’s, Hanks has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s political leaders, troubled soldiers or corrupt managers, Hanks has portrayed a wide variety of characters. Arguably, Hanks’ finest strength as an actor has always been his likability. He is one of those actors which has always had a talent for creating characters which are likeable. Through ability to portray characters which prove compelling, Hanks has established a legacy that’s lasting. Known as America’s Sweetheart, Hanks has created movies that audiences consider art. Despite reaching age of retirement, Hanks has never lost his passion for making engaging entertainment. Throughout his commemorated career, Hanks has started in many memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Hanks and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Saving Mr. Banks” is absolutely his most underrated work. Released in 2013, John Lee Hancock’s movie offered a bold tribute towards Walt Disney and his strong legacy. Packed with breathtaking production, bold storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s an engaging biopic. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Tom Hanks, who portrays an iconic founder of a famous company. Although “Saving Mr. Banks” is absolutely entertaining, it isn’t a flawless film. It’s unevenly paced, and lacks strong character development of the best biopics ever made. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that would absolutely satisfy fans of Walt Disney.
“Saving Mr. Banks” tells a true story of how Walt Disney became a founder of an iconic company. Tom Hanks portrays Walt Disney, the legendary founder of a renowned films company. Disney has often shown passion for his profession that he regards with great affection. However, Disney’s life drastically changes when he’s given chances to adapt a bold book by an author. Emma Thompson plays P.L. Travers, a famous author known for writing Mary Poppins. As Disney forms a business partnership with Travers, he soon wonders whether it’s possible to accomplish box office numbers. Faced with adversities, Travers questions his abilities to run famous companies.
John Lee Hancock is a newcomer towards stories of Walt Disney. Before he had made “Saving Mr. Banks”, Hancock hadn’t made a film about Walt Disney before. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempts to honour legacy of a legendary owner of a famous company, but he succeeded tremendously. Using bold cinematography, Hancock captures Disney on a journey to make a movie. Inspired with David Fincher’s “The Social Network”, the filmmaker successfully uses montages to capture the owners of a social network. For instance, montages elevate the businesses meeting scene. During this heartfelt scene, Walt Disney meets with Travers for the first time sparking their partnership. Using bold montages, Hancock crafts a strong portrait of business that’s compelling. Montages are complex techniques. As Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” suggested, montages elevate war movies. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Using strong visuals, Hancock captures the tensions that owners of iconic companies are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Saving Mr. Banks” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best biopics made. Evoking Ron Howard’s “A Beautiful Mind”, Hancock effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of founders of companies that have a beautiful mind. For instance, the costumes elevate the red carpet scene. During this unforgettable scene, Disney participates in a red carpet event for his movie. Through captivating costumes, Hancock creates a portrait of companies which is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Thomas Newman’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film warm atmosphere honouring legacy of a company with a strong career. Using bold production, Hancock honours the legacy of a legendary corporation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Saving Mr. Banks” is a film about Disney that’s engaging. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses monologues to capture tensions that owners of legendary collages are experiencing. Evoking Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi”, Hancock expertly uses monologues to capture the owners of companies. For instance, the monologues enhance the speeches scene. During this unforgettable scene, Walt Disney delivers a profound speech showcasing his devotion towards his company. Through monologues, Hancock creates a portrait of corporations audiences can relate to. Monologues aren’t easy techniques to use in films. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” proved, dramatic monologues elevate films about childhood. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Hancock honours the legacy of a legendary company today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Hanks delivers one of his best career performances as Walt Disney. Hanks first earned appreciation for playing rebellious teenagers in coming of age movies. With “Saving Mr. Banks”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play a legendary owner of a famous company but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of an owner of legendary corporations. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the best actors today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Hanks, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of attention. Emma Thompson is excellent, capturing dedication of a woman that seeks to publish a book earning global recognition. Paul Giamatti is phenomenal, bringing authority to a Hollywood producer seeking to make a famous movie. Last but not least, Colin Farrell merits appreciation. As a famous actor, he is unforgettable.
Although “Saving Mr. Banks” is an engaging family blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks captivating pacing. Hancock’s decisions to integrate subplots about Hollywood politics into the movie is clever but hinders pacing. Due to this faulty technique, scenes which capture Hollywood political figures aren’t as engaging as Disney’s journey. Furthermore, the film lacks bold character development. We barely get to know Disney on a personal level beyond his businesses in a company. Therefore, “Saving Mr. Banks” is a Disney movie that not everyone would be able to adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Tom Hanks will enjoy “Saving Mr. Banks” and so would audiences seeking enjoyable entertainment. A dazzling family drama, it honours an actor which has charisma.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking movie about the legendary owner that founded Disney, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor that has built a strong legacy through his abilities to make great movies that audiences have always loved dearly.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 