My wife and I have just about given up the joy of taking in a movie and falling under it’s magic spell while munching on an eight dollar box of pure profit popcorn.

The plain truth is we’re having trouble finding something that interests us, such as a romantic comedy, or a tear jerker, or anything else that doesn’t involve the gruesome demise of someone who may or may not already be dead!

If you have been following the garbage that passes for movie entertainment these days, you understand that you would just as soon enjoy a picture without losing your dinner over some scene that appears to have been included just for that reason.

Jane and I were visiting our youngest daughter, Amy, in St, Paul last weekend and while there she, being a great film fan and knowing our preferences, suggested we see “Saving Mr. Banks.”

My review is simple....DON’T MISS IT!

It is such a wonderful film, I suspect it will be about four years before Hollywood attempts anything similar.

It is the story of how the talented author of “Mary Poppins” brought her to life, first in books, then in Walt Disney’s heart, and finally on the big screen.

I won’t give away anything, but bring both your laugh and your hanky because they both will be needed.

The great Emma Thompson plays the author who has slipped a family secret into the story and Tom Hanks is strictly brilliant as Disney, who has fallen in love with the world’s favorite nanny, but not her creator.

However, the two of them must reach many compromises while the script is being written. She doesn’t want a musical and, without question, animation will not be tolerated! Can anyone else in the world envision “Mary Poppins” without either music or animation?

As the film progresses, Hanks actually becomes the Walt Disney we all loved growing up, but also lets us peek inside his brilliant business mind, tinged with a bit of emotional concern, of course.

The songwriters also play a big part in the pure joy of the movie and offer some great insight into how such wonderful music can jump out of their heads for every need in the film.

As the movie advances, it becomes one of two actual stories, both of which play a major role through the continual use of flashbacks to the author’s childhood. Hint: Her father was a banker.

The finale is surprising, but both acceptable and understandable.

Both Thompson and Hanks give Oscar-caliber performances, and Colin Farrell is very convincing in a difficult role that has more than its share of ups and downs.

Perhaps I enjoyed it so much because I absolutely adore the original Disney film and love watching it with grandchildren who still are able to be wrapped up in the fantasy without knowing the sadness and eventual joy that lies beneath the real story.

If you, like me, enjoy stories that are based on other stories, do yourself a favor and take the time to see “Saving Mr. Banks” before the wind blows from the east again!

            ***

A couple of quick thoughts while pondering today’s news:

• The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to purchase a replacement.

• The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so he can tell when he’s in trouble!

• A penny saved is government oversight!