Overview
A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a beloved classic reveals the struggles of artistic integrity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- warm
- witty
- nostalgic
- lazy sunday
- family movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film highly appealing and emotionally effective, praising its performances and old-fashioned charm while noting its sentimental simplification of history.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Travers, Disney, and the Sherman brothers debate the adaptation of Mary Poppins during the 1961 production process.
Travers's resistance to Disney's adaptation is connected to memories of her father and the emotional origins of Mr. Banks.
The film presents an embellished, affectionate account of Travers's negotiations and Disney's intervention while emphasizing emotional catharsis.
The 1961 Los Angeles negotiations are interwoven with flashbacks to Travers's childhood and family life.
Films like Saving Mr. Banks, and why
Hitchcock
shared backstage drama structure, creative conflict, historical filmmaking context, and warm but sentimental tone
The Founder
shared biopic elements, artistic collaboration, family trauma, and accessible feel-good drama
Finding Neverland
shared literary biopic focus, difficult creative personalities, flashback structure, and emotionally restorative themes
Movie Details
- Director
- John Lee Hancock
- Release Date
- 2013-11-29
- Runtime
- 126 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (3574)
Cast
- Emma Thompson
- Tom Hanks
- Colin Farrell
- Paul Giamatti
- Ruth Wilson
- Jason Schwartzman
- Bradley Whitford
- Annie Rose Buckley
- B.J. Novak
- Kathy Baker
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Saving Mr. Banks about?
- A prickly author and an indefatigable studio titan clash over Mary Poppins while confronting the childhood wounds hidden inside its story.
- What is Saving Mr. Banks like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Saving Mr. Banks as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Saving Mr. Banks violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Saving Mr. Banks as mild.
- What did critics think of Saving Mr. Banks?
- Critics broadly found the film highly appealing and emotionally effective, praising its performances and old-fashioned charm while noting its sentimental simplification of history.
- Which films are like Saving Mr. Banks?
- Films with a similar feel include Hitchcock, The Founder, and Finding Neverland.
- How long is Saving Mr. Banks?
- Saving Mr. Banks runs 126 minutes.
- Where can I watch Saving Mr. Banks?
- In United States, Saving Mr. Banks streams on Disney Plus.
