In “Mary Poppins Returns” uncompromising Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins tucks the Banks children into their beds. Innocent young Joel Dawson as Georgie says, “I miss Mother.” Pausing Mary’s bright blue eyes turn sublime in gaze. She sings, “The Place Where Lost Things Go”. In touching lyrics Mary says, “Nothing’s gone forever, only out of place.” That lands in our very hearts as well.
Director Rob Marshall’s sequel to the beloved “Mary Poppins” is the brilliant musical that’s eloquently about loss: be that child-like wonder or the passing of the Mother of three beautiful children. “Mary Poppins Returns” dazzles in its blend of animation and song as Mary and the Children immerse in the art work of their Mother’s vase. In Old School flourish, the leeries (city street lantern lighters) break into the breathtaking musical number in the London night.
As “Mary Poppins Returns” opens Lin-Manuel Miranda, of “Hamilton”, as Leerie Jack sings the opening song while riding through the streets. My friend Cheryl and I both thought: WTF. This is a classic movie musical. Well, at least I went WTF. “Mary Poppins Returns” isn’t just the narrative with songs and musical numbers fused together. Marc Shaiman’s amazing songs are the narrative – gifting amazing poignancy.
“Mary Poppins Returns” takes place about 25 years after “Mary Poppins” left off. The original Banks children Jane and Michael are now adults. Sweet Emily Mortimer is Labor Activist Jane. Sad worried Ben Whishaw is the bank teller Dad Michael, who is also the long suffering Artist.
Through Michael’s song we discover that his wife passed away, leaving him and his sister to care for Anabel, John, and Georgie played by talented Pixie Davies, Nathaniel Saleh, and Joel Dawson. Solid Julie Walters plays loyal housekeeper Ellen. Michael dearly misses the love of his life.
Although, he works at the Bank that gave him his loan for their London home, Bank President Wilkins, played by masterfully duplicitous Colin Firth, informs Michael that he must pay off the loan or forfeit his home. That’s unthinkable. For the Banks, home is where their memories of their Wife and Mother live.
As fate unfolds, while the children play with an old family kite during a storm Mary Poppins returns – descending from the clouds prim and proper with ankles turns outward. With her signature hat and magical talking umbrella Mary is summoned back to take care of the Banks children, the old and new ones.
Emily Blunt is profound restraint: obviously the smart beautiful Mary knows more than she will let on. Emily’s eloquence as Mary reveals the deep well of emotion within in her gentle eyes and measured speak. She also has an amazing voice. Ironically, her Mary is seemingly omniscient albeit hysterically condescending.
Jack tells the children, “She never explains anything.” That’s the beauty of Screenwriter David Magee’s “Mary Poppins Returns”: Mary is just being Mary. In this revelation Lin-Manuel as Jack is all charm and compassion. He and Emily have miraculous chemistry either in conversation or paired in song and dance in the animated circus tent. Director Rob reveres homage to the past with heartfelt cameos by Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury. Yet, his “Mary Poppins Returns” celebrates the new in song and its own hybrid rap.
Mary Poppins tells the children, “Everything is possible, even the impossible.” In this Emily is authentic, and so is “Mary Poppins Returns”. In one sense: “The past is in the past.” The past can’t be changed like the passing of the beloved Mother. Things and people can be and will be lost. Lost, but not forgotten.
Mary Poppins reminds that those we lost, live on within us when we believe. When we remember them in our hearts. That is the wondrous beauty of “Mary Poppins Returns”.
—
***
Support The Good Men Project on Patreon to help us build a better, more inclusive world for all.
***
Photo credit: Shutterstock, modified
