Mary Poppins Returns 2018

In the midst of 1935 London’s nostalgia-tinged atmosphere, Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) finds himself navigating the complexities of single parenthood alongside his three children - Annabel (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh), and Georgie (Joel Dawson). With the tender guidance of Ellen (Julie Walters), his long-standing housekeeper, and Jane (Emily Mortimer), his wise and compassionate older sister, Michael strives to maintain a sense of normalcy in the wake of his wife Kate’s passing. However, the weight of financial burdens has taken its toll, as Michael has taken out a loan from the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank, whose corrupt president, William Weatherall Wilkins (Colin Firth), sends stern warnings that if the loan is not repaid in full by Friday, his cherished home will be repossessed. Amidst this uncertainty, Michael and Jane embark on a mission to locate the certificate verifying their inherited shares in the same bank, which they hope can help alleviate their financial woes.

As Michael’s search yields no immediate results, he becomes increasingly distracted, losing sight of the simple joys that once brought him solace. In a poignant moment, he discards a kite, a symbol of his carefree youth, opting instead to focus on more pressing concerns. Little does he know, fate has other plans.

Meanwhile, Georgie’s chance discovery of the abandoned kite in the park sets off a chain reaction of events that will change everything. As the young boy takes to the skies, he finds himself soaring alongside Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt), who appears as if by magic, her enigmatic presence stirring up a whirlwind of wonder and excitement among the children. With her arrival, the boundaries between reality and fantasy begin to blur, as Michael’s household is transformed into an enchanting world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

As Michael ventures to the bank in search of proof of his shares, Wilkins presents a formidable obstacle. The banker’s denials are accompanied by a calculated destruction of evidence, as he tears out a record from the official ledger and reduces it to ashes before Michael’s departing eyes. This brazen act sets the tone for the evening ahead, as Annabel and John face a daunting decision: sell their mother’s treasured “priceless” bowl to settle their debt. Georgie’s fervent objections ultimately lead to a scuffle, resulting in the bowl’s damage. Little do they know, this seemingly ordinary ceramic vessel holds extraordinary secrets.

Later that night, Mary Poppins (played by Emily Blunt) and her young charges are transported into the world of art as Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda), a charming cockney lamplighter, joins their journey inside the bowl’s painting. There, they encounter an array of talking animals, which come to life under the Practically Perfect in Every Way nanny’s guidance. Together, they create the enchanting Royal Doulton Music Hall, where music and magic reign supreme.

However, this whimsical adventure is soon disrupted by the nefarious gang comprising a wolf, weasel, and badger, who seek to pilfer the children’s belongings. Georgie finds himself at the mercy of these villains, prompting Annabel and John to mount a daring rescue mission. Their bravery ultimately yields success, but not without consequences: they find themselves transported out of the painting, awakening in their own beds with the lingering doubt that their fantastical experience was merely a dream.

The next day, Mary Poppins and the children seek the expertise of her enigmatic Eastern European cousin, Topsy (Meryl Streep), to repair the bowl and unravel its secrets. Their discovery: the vessel holds little monetary value, but great sentimental worth. This revelation serves as a precursor to their visit to Wilkins’ office, where they unwittingly overhear the banker’s sinister plans to seize their home. As Michael returns from his meeting, Georgie interrupts the gathering, revealing that Wilkins and his associates are none other than the same animal gang responsible for his kidnapping.

As tensions escalate, Michael becomes incensed with his children, fearing that their actions will imperil his job and home. Mary Poppins intervenes, guiding her young charges back to the safety of their own doorstep. There, they find solace in the words of Jack and his fellow lamplighters, who impart their unique lingo.

At home, Michael’s ire is tempered by a heartfelt confrontation with his children. As he fears losing not only his job but also his wife’s spirit, they reassure him that her memory will forever be alive within them. In the end, Michael extends forgiveness to his children, acknowledging that sometimes, it takes a little bit of magic to bring people together and find redemption in the face of adversity.

As the Banks family readies to bid farewell to their beloved abode, Michael’s nostalgic reverie is interrupted by a startling revelation: Georgie’s makeshift kite, cobbled together from fragments of their shares certificate, exposes the siblings’ innocent tampering. This epiphany sends Michael and Jane hurrying to the bank, while Mary Poppins and the children embark on a fantastical journey with Jack and the lamplighters to the iconic Big Ben. As they ascend the clock tower’s winding staircase, Mary and Jack conspire to turn back time, a daring feat that grants Michael and Jane just enough leeway to reach the bank before it’s too late.

Though their arrival at the financial institution is timely, their attempts to reclaim their shares are thwarted by the lack of crucial documentation. However, an unexpected intervention by the venerable Mr. Dawes Jr., chairman of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank and William’s uncle, sets in motion a chain of events that will change the course of their lives forever. Wilkins, the bank’s corrupt administrator, is summarily fired by Mr. Dawes for his egregious transgressions, and the elderly but still spry gentleman reveals that Michael’s youthful investment in Tuppence has yielded a windfall, sufficient to repay the loan and secure the Banks family’s claim to their home.

The following day, the family gathers at the park to celebrate their hard-won victory, purchasing an assortment of balloons that lift them into the air, reviving memories of their whimsical adventures with Mary Poppins from years past. As they soar above the treetops, Jack and a host of others join in the joyous celebration. With the weight of their worries lifted, Michael and Jane bid a bittersweet farewell to their beloved nanny as she takes flight once more into the sky, her umbrella fluttering like a beacon as she vanishes into the clouds.