4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Work v. family
Date of Review: Feb 22, 2000
Back in 1964, not many women worked full time. Nannies like Mary Poppins, yes, widows like the cooks at the Banks' house, yes. Married women with kids, no. The book of Mary Poppins is similar to the movie, and the larks they have are present there too. Mr. Banks is played so beautifully - a busy banker trying to make ends meet but also loving his job. Mrs. Banks is a volunteer fanatic, concerned with womens' suffrage.
Mary Poppins' job - to remind him and her why they are doing what they do.
The fantastic stories, the happiness she brings to the kids does get Mr. Banks' attention. And, Bert, the chimney sweep, the artist, the babysitter, the man without a job, is happier than Mr. Banks (but then, he has no kids or wife, does he!?!?).
The mere color of Mary's outfits, coupled with the beautiful houses on Cherry Lane, the trips to the races, the laughing party on the ceiling are all wonderful diversions. This is not to mention the medicine from the same bottle that comes out different colors each time you pour.
Is this movie long? There is a lot to do in this movie. It slows down when the kids go with dad, but it needs to. The rest of the movie has breezed by.
The songs, the costumes, the characters (including eccentric admiral next door) are so true to the period of early 1900's. It's a fun, fun trip to learning to fly a kite. And, at that time, play was hard to come by.
Mary Poppins stars the best voice in the world, Julie Andrews. This is a great film for everyone!
