Mary Poppins is a musical fantasy film directed by Robert Stevenson and is written by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, based on P. L. Travers's book series Mary Poppins. It stars Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, and Glynis Johns. 

The Story/The Direction:

The film takes place in London in 1910 when a magical nanny, Mary Poppins (Andrews) who starts to work for the Banks family as Mr. Banks (Tomlinson) does not pay attention to his family. He only cares about his work and himself and pretends everything is great when it is not. When Mary Poppins arrives by floating through the air, the audience knows that things are going to change. The children start to go on outings they never did before along with Mary Poppins's friend, Bert (Van Dyke). 

This film teaches its audience that it's the little things that matter in life. People should not get too focused on work and pay attention to their families because sooner or later, they will not be around. Stevenson takes a very serious message and shows it to children which is a very daunting task to take on. The music is still great over 40 years later and will have the audience singing along.  For the time, the effects are wonderfully done and the dance numbers are fantastic as is the musical score. Thanks to the charm of both the story and its characters, it soars through the sky as Mary Poppins does. 

The Characters:

This being Andrews's first film does not show at all. She steps into this role with charm and grace and the Oscar she won for it is well deserved. She shows that she has no limit to her powers and that she can be that spoonful of sugar to the nasty tasting medicine that is Mr. Banks. She is confident and has a lot of spirit. Van Dyke, sporting a horrific accent, is still charming as Bert. He represents those who are happy no matter what. Even if his drawings are destroyed and he perhaps is living on the streets, he is the happiest person around (aside from Uncle Albert.) The rest of the cast do well in their roles and add a lot to the film's overall character and story. 

The Flaws:

The only flaw for some could come from the length of some of the musical numbers as they can drag. However, this is the style of film that this was and a lot of musicals have musical numbers in the same fashion.

Overall:

There is a reason why this film stays good over the years and its because it is practically perfect in every way. The songs are memorable, the cast is beyond wonderful, the story is meaningful, and the charm can speak to the child in all of us. It is definitely worth buying if one has not already.

Rating: 5.0/5.0 bowties

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Trailer