One of Disney’s newest films, Saving Mr. Banks, is riveting, beautiful, and hilarious. Based on the true story of how Walt Disney gained the rights to make his award-winning movie, Mary Poppins, the film features Tom Hanks as Walt and Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers (or Pam), the author of the book Mary Poppins.

Pam flies from London to Los Angeles to meet with Walt about signing over the rights, but she refuses to sign them over before she works with the staff and approves their plans for the script and casting.

She is reluctant to give up the story because of the deeper meaning it holds for her. Pam based Mr. Banks’ character off of her father and is afraid that Disney’s movie makes him look like a monster. Pam is particular about what she will allow Disney to do with her story. She makes requests like omitting the color red from the film, not having any animation, and countless others.

Hanks’ portrayal of Walt is surprisingly convincing as are the other actors in the film. This movie takes the audience from laughing, to crying, to biting their nails and sitting on the edge of their seats. It is beautifully put together and is especially enjoyable for die hard Disney fans.

Though the script strays from the real story a few times, the writers did an incredible job of staying true to who the real people were and what they were like.  This movie is a brilliant alternative to a documentary, it allows viewers to understand why the real people did what they did and learn more about their personalities. Saving Mr. Banks is an absolute must-see movie for audiences of all ages.