iandbaldwin

Like the stitches in a couture gown there is craftmanship in every frame of this film. Before going I had not been aware that it was based on a Paul Gallico book, but like the Snow Goose it is a wonderful story. The cinematographers have managed to make the colour balance look like a film from the 1950s - warm glowing colours but not too bright, the sound is well balanced and I could hear every word of dialogue without it being drowned out by unnecessary background music or sound effects. The actors are all brilliantly cast and the make up is right for the era. Came out of the cinema feeling like I had been given a great hug and that does not often happen with films these days. I hope they can make films of the other three books about Mrs Harris.

Mary Poppins Returns exceeded all my expectations when I saw it today. The original film was the first I ever saw in the cinema so I was a bit cautious about spoiling childhood memories but this film brought a tear to my eyes because the people who made it clearly love the original as I do. The songs are in keeping with the original as is the whole style of combined live action and animation. The sets are incredible - virtually no difference from the original film. It matters not that Mary is this is not Julie Andrews because Emily Blunt does a fantastic job. Lin-Manuel Miranda plays Jack the Lamplighter and does an amazing performance replacing Bert the Chimney Sweep. The plot carried the film from start to finish in an intelligent and witty style - the 2 hours 10 minutes flew by. It was lovely to see Dick Van Dyke as the junior banker from the original aged to look like the Mr Dawes Senior character he played in the original film. The spirit of Walt Disney infuses every frame of this film.