Write a report on the critical analysis of the movie, “Saving Mr.

Banks” based on the theory of

Psychoanalysis using the following points.

"Saving Mr. Banks" is a film that explores the life of P.L. Travers, the author of Mary Poppins,
and her tumultuous experience working with Walt Disney on the adaptation of her book into a
movie. This report will provide a critical analysis of the movie based on the theory of
Psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is a psychological theory and therapeutic approach founded by
Sigmund Freud. The premise of psychoanalysis is that human behavior and emotions are
influenced by unconscious desires and conflicts. These unconscious forces can be explored
through therapy, allowing individuals to gain insight into their inner selves and ultimately
improve their mental health.

There are several observations in the film that can be linked to Freudian Psychodynamic theory,
including:

1. Defense Mechanisms: Throughout the film, we see P.L. Travers using various defense
mechanisms to cope with her anxiety and stress. For example, she uses repression to push
away painful memories of her childhood and denial to avoid facing her emotions about
her father's death. These defense mechanisms are consistent with Freud's theories of the
human psyche and his concept of the unconscious mind.

2. Childhood Trauma: P.L. Travers' difficult childhood is a significant theme in the movie.
Her father's alcoholism and death had a profound impact on her, and she struggles to
come to terms with it. This trauma can be linked to Freud's theories of childhood
development, specifically the Oedipus complex and the Electra complex, which suggest
that children have unconscious desires and conflicts related to their parents.

3. Resistance to Change: P.L. Travers is resistant to changes that Walt Disney wants to make
to her story, such as adding animated sequences and making Mary Poppins more likable.
This resistance can be linked to Freud's theory of the ego, which suggests that individuals
have a sense of self that is concerned with maintaining stability and avoiding change.

4. Transference: transference occurs when a patient's emotions and expectations about a

significant figure from their past, such as a parent, are transferred onto the therapist. This
can result in a range of feelings, such as love, anger, or even fear, that are not necessarily
 related to the therapist's behavior or actions. The therapist's role is to recognize and
interpret these transference reactions to help the patient gain insight into their past
relationships and emotional patterns. P.L. Travers' relationship with Walt Disney is
complex, and she has strong feelings of both attraction and aversion towards him. This
relationship can be linked to Freud's theory of transference.

Overall, "Saving Mr. Banks" offers a fascinating look at the intersection of creativity, trauma,
and psychology, and the observations in the film can be linked to several key concepts in
Freudian Psychodynamic theory.

Structure of psyche and how it featured in the film:

The structure of psyche as proposed by Freud is evident in the character of P.L. Travers, the
author of Mary Poppins. The three components of the psyche are the id, ego, and superego.

● The id represents primitive, instinctual desires and operates on the pleasure principle.
● The ego is the mediator between the id and external reality,
● and the superego represents the internalized social norms and values.

P.L. Travers' character embodies the tension between the id and superego, which is evident in her
relationship with her father. Her father's alcoholism and death had a profound impact on her, and
she uses defense mechanisms such as repression and denial to cope with the trauma. The id,
represented by her desire to hold onto her memories of her father, conflicts with the superego,
represented by her desire to avoid the pain and move on with her life.

Additionally, the film portrays P.L. Travers' resistance to the changes that Walt Disney wants to
make to her story, such as adding animated sequences and making Mary Poppins more likable.
This resistance can be seen as a manifestation of her ego, which is concerned with maintaining
stability and avoiding change.

The film also depicts transference, which is a key concept in psychoanalysis. P.L. Travers'
relationship with Walt Disney is complex, and she has strong feelings of both attraction and
aversion towards him. This relationship can be linked to Freud's theory of transference, which
suggests that individuals may project their emotions and feelings onto others in a way that is
influenced by their past experiences.

In conclusion, "Saving Mr. Banks" provides an interesting case study of the application of
psychoanalytic theory to the understanding of human behavior and emotions. The film
effectively portrays the conflict between the id and superego and the role of defense mechanisms,
as well as highlighting the importance of transference in interpersonal relationships.
Role of defense mechanisms in the movie:
Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies that individuals use to cope with anxiety,
stress, and internal conflicts. These mechanisms work unconsciously, and individuals may not be
aware that they are using them to protect themselves from painful emotions or experiences. In
"Saving Mr. Banks," the character of P.L. Travers uses several defense mechanisms to deal with
her anxiety and stress related to her traumatic childhood experiences

1. Repression: Repression is a defense mechanism in which an individual pushes away

painful memories, thoughts, or emotions from their conscious mind. In the movie, P.L.
Travers represses her memories of her father's alcoholism and death. She initially refuses
to discuss the details of her past with her driver and later with her therapist, indicating
that she has buried the memories deep within her unconscious mind.

2. Denial: Denial is a defense mechanism in which an individual refuses to accept or

acknowledge the reality of a situation. In the movie, P.L. Travers initially denies that she
needs therapy, claiming that she is perfectly capable of handling her emotions on her
own. She also denies Walt Disney's suggestions for changes to her story, refusing to
accept that the film adaptation could be different from her original vision.

3. Displacement: Displacement is a defense mechanism in which an individual redirects

their emotions from the original source to a less threatening target. In the movie, P.L.
Travers displaces her anger and frustration towards Walt Disney onto his assistant, Don
DaGradi. She initially lashes out at him when she is unhappy with the set designs, even
though he is not responsible for them.

4. Projection: Projection is a defense mechanism in which an individual attributes their

own thoughts or feelings onto someone else. In the movie, P.L. Travers projects her own
childhood experiences onto the character of Mary Poppins, insisting that the character
must reflect her own memories and experiences. She also projects her feelings of guilt
and shame onto her therapist, accusing her of being judgmental and unsympathetic.

Overall, the movie "Saving Mr. Banks" effectively portrays the use of defense mechanisms as a

coping mechanism for dealing with internal conflicts and traumatic experiences. The character of
P.L. Travers demonstrates the use of several defense mechanisms, including repression, denial,

displacement, and projection, which are consistent with psychoanalytic theory.

Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis has never existed without its criticisms, and here we’ll be

viewing it through a critical aspect of the theory.

● One of the main criticisms of psychoanalysis is that it relies heavily on subjective

interpretations of past events and experiences. In "Saving Mr. Banks," the character of

P.L. Travers is shown to have a traumatic childhood experience that shapes her behavior

as an adult. However, the exact interpretation of this trauma and its impact on her

behavior is open to interpretation. Some may argue that her behavior is due to her trauma,

while others may argue that it is due to other factors such as personality or upbringing.

● Another criticism of psychoanalysis is that it tends to focus on negative experiences and

emotions, rather than positive ones. In "Saving Mr. Banks," the focus on Travers'

traumatic childhood and her subsequent defense mechanisms may overshadow her

positive qualities and achievements as a writer. The movie may give the impression that

her success is due to her unresolved issues, rather than her talent and hard work.

● Furthermore, psychoanalysis has been criticized for its lack of empirical evidence and its

inability to be scientifically tested. While the theory may offer valuable insights into

human behavior, it is difficult to objectively measure its effectiveness and accuracy.

● In terms of its use in "Saving Mr. Banks," the psychoanalytic approach may have

limitations in fully capturing the complexities of human behavior and motivation. While

Travers' behavior can be partially explained by her traumatic childhood, it is also

influenced by other factors such as her personality, values, and beliefs. The movie may

have benefited from a more holistic approach that considers multiple perspectives and

factors.
Psychoanalysis may have limitations in fully capturing the complexities of the character's

behavior and motivation. A more nuanced and holistic approach may provide a more

comprehensive understanding of the character's personality and motivations.

This report will critically analyze the movie using the theory of psychoanalysis and explore

the practical lessons that can be learned in terms of ethical considerations, wants, and

desires:

Psychoanalytic Analysis:

Psychoanalysis is a psychological approach that focuses on unconscious mental processes and

the underlying motives for human behavior. In "Saving Mr. Banks," we can see the application of

psychoanalysis theory in the characterization of P.L. Travers. P.L. Travers, played by Emma

Thompson, is shown to have a traumatic childhood experience that has a significant impact on

her personality and behavior. Travers had a close relationship with her father, who was an

alcoholic and died when she was young. This experience left a lasting impact on her and led to

her becoming a control freak in her adult life.

Travers' behavior can be understood using the psychoanalytic theory of defense mechanisms. She

uses defense mechanisms like repression and denial to cope with her traumatic childhood

experience. She denies the existence of her father's alcoholism and represses the memories of her

father's death. Travers also uses the defense mechanism of projection, where she projects her

unresolved issues onto others. She sees Walt Disney, played by Tom Hanks, as a manipulative

person who wants to ruin her book and childhood memories.

Practical Lessons:
The movie offers practical lessons in terms of ethical considerations, wants, and desires. Firstly,

the movie highlights the importance of understanding and acknowledging the impact of past

traumas on one's behavior. P.L. Travers' behavior can be traced back to her traumatic childhood

experience. It is crucial to recognize the impact of past experiences and seek help to overcome

any unresolved issues.

Secondly, the movie shows the dangers of holding onto desires and wants to the point of

becoming obsessive and controlling. Travers' desire to control every aspect of the movie

adaptation of her book leads to conflicts with the production team, and it ultimately affects the

final product. The movie highlights the importance of finding a balance between one's wants and

desires and the needs of others.

Lastly, the movie demonstrates the importance of ethical considerations in creative

collaborations. Walt Disney is shown to be respectful of Travers' work and ideas, even when they

do not align with his own vision for the movie. The movie emphasizes the importance of

listening to others, respecting their ideas, and finding a compromise that benefits everyone

involved.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, "Saving Mr. Banks" offers a thought-provoking analysis of P.L. Travers'

personality and behavior using the psychoanalytic theory. The movie highlights practical lessons

in terms of ethical considerations, wants, and desires. The importance of acknowledging past

traumas, finding a balance between one's desires and the needs of others, and ethical

considerations in creative collaborations are the main lessons that can be taken from this movie.