Mary Poppins

Review by Michael Nerbun

"In every job that must be done there is an element of fun," Mary Poppins said, flying above the clouds with her carpetbag floating by her right side, powdering her nose, and holding her parrot handled umbrella by her left side. Meanwhile at the Banks’ house "Katie Nana," the sixth new nanny for the Banks children in four months, is leaving because Jane and Michael have run away again during their outing.

Jane and Michael’s father starts right away writing a list of qualifications for a new nanny. Jane and Michael want a nanny that was "quite pretty, plays games, no warts, and is nice." Mr. Banks wanted a no-nonsense nanny who was firm and respectable. The next day Mary Poppins landed right in front of the door and applied for the position. She was accepted right away.

This was the beginning of Mary Poppins’ adventures with Jane and Michael. Mary Poppins’ friend Bert, a wild and crazy guy, was a big part of the story. They all laughed to the ceiling one time and went on the rooftops of London. My favorite part was when they jumped into the sidewalk drawing because their wildest dreams became real.

Even though it might seem this movie is just about and for kids, I think Mary Poppins really came for their dad. Jane and Michael didn’t think their dad loved them because he was always working, was never "chipper," and was so serious. He wanted the children to "follow in his footsteps." Bert and Mary Poppins taught Jane and Michael to care about their dad and to see the ways he showed that he cared about them.

Questions

(before movie)

1. If you had to draw up a list of qualifications for someone who was going to take care of you while you were growing up, what would you include? Share these with your family.

(after movie)

1. Talk to your parents about your favorite parts of the movie and why you liked them.

2. Are there some ways that you can show you care about your mom or dad? After having seen Mary Poppins, are there some ways that your parents show that they love you that now you can appreciate better?