by Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi

We are all more than acquainted with Mary Poppins: Julie Andrews’ marvellous interpretation conquered young and old alike, just as the delicate books that were the inspirers of the Disney movie, written by the British-Australian author P.L. Travers. But not all know of Walt Disney’s challenge to convince the cantankerous, uncompromising Pamela Travers to allow her stories to fly on the silver screen. And this is the very story narrated by the film director who has recently taken a flair for fairytale adaptations as screenwriter (like ‘Snow White and the Huntsmen’ and ‘Maleficient’), John Lee Hancock.

Our story is set in 1961 when P.L. Travers has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney's plans for the adaptation. For those two short weeks, Walt Disney and the Sherman brothers will arm themselves with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs, but the nettlesome author won't yield. Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from Disney’s grasp. But it is only when Walt reaches into his own childhood and discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, that the two finally manage together to set Mary Poppins free and make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.

The magic of this film wouldn’t be the same without two-time Academy Award winner Emma Thompson starring as P.L. Travers and double Oscar winner Tom Hanks embodying Walt Disney. Not only do they bring back to life two legends, but they instil such intensity and emotions in these characters, that one can’t help but be drawn and cry, laugh, sigh and dream with them the whole way through.

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