Mary Poppins – A Magical Distraction To The Reality Of Real Life

I’ve never seen the original Mary Poppins. Obviously I know all the songs and I’ve seen clips but I don’t think I’ve ever sat down and watched the whole movie. I was, however, hugely looking forward to the new film and mainly because of Emily Blunt who I think is an immensely talented actress (sorry I refuse to gender neutralise everyone with actor) and someone whose films I always enjoy.

So on a very grey December afternoon, in that period between Christmas and New Year when no one knows what the actual day is, I settled down at our local cinema (one of those quaint, step back in time places with ushers, bags of proper sweets and comfy seats) for a couple of hours of escapism.

I was hooked from the opening song and despite being surrounded by coughing, wriggling, children I completely absorbed myself into the movie. I have to say that I thought Emily Blunt was superb as Mary Poppins and I found myself quietly sobbing as she reminded the children that their deceased mother hadn’t really gone away as she was all around them (through the haunting lyrics of “Where the lost things go”. All of the acting was superb, the special effects excellent and the score destined to become a timeless classic. The appearance at the end by a very elderly but energetic Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury was the icing on a beautifully decorated cake for me. I could have sat there all afternoon . I left the theatre smiling and uplifted with a renewed determination to keep finding the joy in life. It was magical.

Go and enjoy it.