I know. I know. It's a little late for this review but since the road to Oscars has started, it's nice to catch all the nominees before Ellen DeGeneres and the Academy award them.
Saving Mr. Banks is not actually nominated for Oscars but I'm a big fan of films with historical accounts and English actors. While watching it, I realized why it was snubbed by the award bodies. The whole storyline is intertwined with two timelines: P.L.Travers's (author of Mary Poppins) travel to Hollywood as she goes through the process of birthing the film adaptation of her children's book and her chilhood memory of her father. The way the film was edited is to make the two stories merge as one justifies the other. The flashback scenes are treated the same which I think was very bold. Although, this I think is a weak point from critics' standpoint. The flow of the story may seem to be a bit confusing. The only part I think it worked is in Travers Goff's (P.L. Travers/Helen's father) bank speech which is also Mr. Banks's recitation in the book (and turned into a song for the Mary Poppins film).
Production design and Make-up were laudable for keeping the film in its time, from cars to Disneyland and for making the characters look as close to real thing as possible. Cinematography offered some fresh shots like the pears in the pool but the entire film was presented like any other film.
Tom Hanks made a good impression as Walt Disney. The ensemble contributed to conflicts. But for me, laudable were Paul Giamatti (as Ralph the chauffeur) and Emma Thompson (as P.L.Travers). Paul was sincere and a good support. Emma has been one of my favorites. I can say this is not her best but her portrayal is excellent. She knows how to take the scene.
Another part I like is when they played the original records of P.L.Travers's conversation with Sherman brothers and the screenwriter in the ending credits.
The film stood by the truth of the events, although some were inferred. But this restricted excitement to build up in the film. The best point of the film was when Walt Disney flew to England to talk with P.L.Travers again and revealed why he thinks the author is very stingy about her book. Mary Poppins's story is loosely based on her life and that Mr. Banks is based on her own father, Travers Goff. She took his name as her penname.
If you are a writer or fascinated by one, this film would be of your interest. Nevertheless, the film is worth your time and dime.
August: Osage County is Meryl Streep's comeback to big screen after Iron Lady. I'm particularly excited about this because of, well, Meryl Streep. The story is based on a play about a mother who lost her husband and had her family - 3 daughters, sister and their respective families - come back home to find him, only to find out that he killed himself. It's a dark dramedy that revolves around how the family managed their conflicts and started to learn about each other's lives after the death of Beverly Weston (the father played bg Sam Shepard).
Cinematography again was ordinary. The positive thing maybe was there's not much panning, although it's been done before. The film's strengths are the screenplay and acting. The script was so natural and fluid. Nothing was forced. Yet, in its simplicity, the script continuously surprised me. Meryl and Julia Roberts are nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively at Oscars and Golden Globes, although they both lost at the latter. Nevertheless, my admiration for Meryl Streep grew with this film. She knows how to use nuances and no matter what emotion, she can keep the character and accent. She played very well Violet Weston. Julia, as her daughter Barbara, took her highlights as well, especially the catfish and the final argument scenes. But from the way I see it, it's a collective acting prowess from the ensemble that made it very life-like. Personally, Julianne Nicholson, as the shy youngest daughter of Violet, Abby and Abigail Breslin, as Barbara's 14-year old daughter, Jean took my attention.
The long scene at the funeral dinner was my highlight. The seemingly bipolar monologue of Meryl, the build up of conflict between her and Julia, the spurs of comedic parts - it's a rollercoaster of scenes that was natural and easy to follow. Actually, the whole film is a rollercoaster worth your time and dime.
The film's deep so if you're sure you can follow things like this, go ahead.
Prediction: Meryl and Julia will not win at the Oscars. Meryl just won last year and Julia is in strict competition.
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