Trailer Tuesday: Saving Mr Banks

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It's the tale you've all been waiting for... That world-famous true story about the making of classic 1964 family flick Mary Poppins. What? You don't know what happened...?!

Actually, you know what? Neither do I.

That's why new biopic Saving Mr Banks certainly has the surprise factor on its side. The drama tells the little known story detailing the behind-the-scenes' struggle to adapt Australian author PL Travers' beloved children's book for the big screen. Most of these headaches stemmed from the fact that curmudgeonly, uncompromising Travers (played here by Emma Thompson) was resistant to giving the film rights to Walt Disney (played by Tom Hanks). Disney had just two weeks - during a visit to California by Travers - to win her over. And that meant forcing the author to relive her harsh childhood.


Granted movies about making movies have never really had much appeal for the film-going public, but Saving Mr Banks may change that. Certainly there is massive curiosity value in seeing a contemporary acting icon like Hanks play Walt Disney, one of the most influential filmmakers of all time. I'm certainly intrigued.

For the record, Saving Mr Banks comes from the director of the Academy Award -winning, feel-good hit, The Blind Side. The film also stars Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman and Colin Farrell.

Given the fact that Mr Banks releases in North America on 13 December, slap-bang in the middle of both the festive season and awards period, I don't think it's a stretch to presume that Saving Mr Banks will be gunning for some commercial and critical love - particularly in the performance departments.

Saving Mr Banks is currently set to open in South Africa on 21 February 2014.


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