Mary Poppins (1964)

 Robert Stevenson's "Mary Poppins"


Disney's 1964 cultural phenomenon "Mary Poppins" was Walt Disney's crowning achievement. At least, according to the man himself. Rightfully so, it's an adept thematic culmination of his entire life's work. Adapting the film from P.L. Travers' 1934 novel, Walt Disney and his creative team  modified the original into an extravaganza of live-action musical, mixed with animation and magic. The resulting film is perhaps one of the most memorable films of the 20th century.

The film centers on a pair of children in 1910s London who spend their time alone while their father works his banker job and their suffragette mother ensure women's voting rights. In comes their new nanny, Mary Poppins, who turns their boring (albeit upper-class) lifestyle into a colorful explosion of excitement. Along the way, they learn about the necessity to understand their parents' lifestyles and have empathy, not only for them, but for everyone.

Despite not being 'up my alley,' as it were, "Mary Poppins" demands a joie-de-vivre from its viewer. I certainly got swept away by the reminders to look at life through the lens of a child (the moderate 'lesson' of the film). With its joyous celebrations, defiant whimsy, and musical numbers that will guarantee to be stuck in your head, its hard to be a stick in the mad at such a venture.



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