Review 191: Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is a magical musical fantasy film and a crowing achievement to Walt Disney.

Based loosely on the Mary Poppins book series by P. L. Travers. Set in 1910, the film follows a troubled British called the Banks. The Parents, Winifred (Glynis Johns) and George (David Tomlinson) have very little time to spend with their children Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael (Matthew Garber). But from out of the sky comes a mysterious but extremely loving nanny named Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) with a carpet bag filled with magic. Alongside a muti-talented chap named Bert (Dick Van Dyke). Mary Poppins, Jane and Michael go on a jolly holiday unlike anything you've ever seen.

The plot is extraordinary. What it does is weave a series of adventures (which what the original Mary Poppins books were) and condenses them into one movie which is fabulous.
Behind the adventure overall is a wonderfully written story. It's a story about family, it's about how important it is to have people who love you around you. It's about family, happiness, childhood and what missing out on childhood and life. Letting life pass you by because you don't see the wood for the trees. And most importantly it shows that it's the little things in life that make us happy. And what makes it remarkable is that shows the whole situation from the children's perspectives.

Childhood is very important part of human life. It only happens once in your lifetime, you'll never get another one: Jane and Michael really want to spend time with their father and he's not noticing this because he's too wrapped up in his job at the bank and Mary Poppins comes along to open him up to opportunities to spend more time with them

As a result of this. Mary Poppins (film) has a absolute timeless feel and message that appeals to families today that holds up well when it was first released in 1964 and it's something that everyone of any age can relate to especially if they are a family as troubled as the Banks.
This makes Mary Poppins a learning experience as well as entertainment.

Director Robert Stevenson's direction is precise, the scenery is incredible (the film opens with a glimpse of gorgeous scenery the film has to offer), the cinematography is incredible, the score and songs by The Sherman Brothers (Chim Chim Cher-ee, A Spoonful of Sugar, Jolly Holiday, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Feed the Birds) are wonderful (you can't get them out of your head no matter how hard you try.) The special effects are amazing and beautifully crafted (particularly a sequence were that blends live action and animation which is absolutely breathtaking), the production design (recreating the 1910's) is magnificent, the costumes are gorgeous, the make up is so authentic, the musical numbers are stunning to watch, expertly staged and well choreographed. The sound effects are exquisite, the props are amazingly crafted, the humor (while dated at times) is funny and touching and the ending was superb.

The acting is electrifying though the star performers have to be Julie Andrews as the title character and Dick Van Dyke as Bert who steal the show. Mary Poppins and Bert really care for Jane and Michael and like mother and father figures to them and really look after them while the real parents are busy.

David Tomlinson is outstanding as Mr Banks partially because his character for me had the best character development: He goes from being this arrogant businessman to being a really careing loving father.

Glynis Johns is also wonderful as Winifred Banks, the children's mother. She is more engaged with the children than George is but also has her own problems. Strangely, Winifred and Mary Poppins never share a scene together - just a stray observation.

Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber are absolutely adorable as Jane and Michael, the way they grow from being suspicious of Mary Poppins to growing very attached to her is really touching.
On top of that the rest of the cast is terrific.

Mary Poppins is timeless classic and fun for the whole family, 5/5.

The Anonymous Critic.