Opinion

William Scholes: Mary Poppins and the modern parenting puzzle

William Scholes

William Scholes

William has worked at The Irish News since 2002. His areas of interest include religion and motoring.

Emily Blunt follows Julie Andrews by playing Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns - a film about dads, and not a nanny
Emily Blunt follows Julie Andrews by playing Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns - a film about dads, and not a nanny Emily Blunt follows Julie Andrews by playing Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns - a film about dads, and not a nanny

THE vicissitudes of Christmas deadlines mean this column exists in two parts of the glittering Irish News space-time continuum at once.

On the one hand, at the time of writing I have yet to get to the cinema to watch Mary Poppins Returns. And how could I, when it hasn't yet reached multiplexes in this part of the contested Brexit backstop?

I can tell you, however, that although I have studiously avoided the reviews, I am looking forward to it hugely. I'll also probably shed a tear. Or two.

The original Mary Poppins descended, like nanny-from-heaven, upon cinema screens in 1964 as joyous, exuberant and practically perfect family entertainment in the best song-and-dance tradition.

It was a big favourite in our house when our son was younger, vying with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - another Dick Van Dyke, ahem, vehicle - for his affections.

But on the other hand, as I bound forward through the Irish News space-time continuum and land on these December 28 pages, I have already watched the film. I have thus already formed a view on it, and shed a tear. Or two.

Obviously, it wasn't as good as Mary Poppins. How could it be? But my at-the-time-of-writing, other-side-of-the-space-time-continuum self fervently hopes that it wasn't terrible.

I don't know much about Emily Blunt, who plays Julie Andrews playing Mary Poppins - or is it the other way round? - but I do rather like Ben Whishaw, not least because he is also Paddington and Q to Daniel Craig's James Bond.

From knowledge available to me in every part of the Irish News space-time column continuum, I also know that Whishaw plays Michael Banks.

Mary Poppins was nanny to Michael and his sister Jane in the original film.

By the time Mary Poppins Returns shimmers onto screen, enough time has passed for young Michael to become middle-aged Michael.

But all is not well. His wife has died after a long illness, leaving him and their three young children in desperate need of help from our heroine.

Tragedy, loss and sorrow lie at the heart of the best films for-children-but-really-for-adults. Try the Toy Story trilogy if you don't believe me. And it is a scientific fact that no film has ever plumbed the depths of sadness as authentically as Dumbo.

The plight of Michael Banks - lonely, bereft, grieving, trying to support the children who have lost their mother - is a reminder that Mary Poppins is not a film about a magical nanny.

It isn't even really about childhood, though it can certainly be enjoyed profoundly by children.

Rather, it is a psalm to parenthood and, specifically, fatherhood, probably as a result of PL Travers's - the books' author - own experiences.

The 1964 film is about a father, George Banks, reconnecting with his children, taking responsibility for them and getting his priorities right.

Mr Banks had thought he could make his children happy by surrounding them with material possessions, when what they really wanted was time with him.

It turns out that his deepest desire was also to spend time with them, which is why the film ends with the Banks family together in the park, happily flying a kite - and, as everyone knows, it is impossible to be anything other than happy when flying a kite.

Sadly, happiness has become elusive for many of today's children and young people.

Apparently growing numbers are being afflicted by a range of mental ill health conditions.

Whatever their merits, social media and online gaming clearly haven't helped.

Among other corrosive effects, these blur the lines between school and home, the public and private.

Enter the world of something like Fortnite - that appalling spelling ought to be enough for it to be banned - and the same kid who annoys, bullies and generally makes your life a misery at school can also do the same to you while you're at home with family, in what should be your safest of safe places.

That is only one example. Today's children inhabit a world that can chip-chip-chip away at their self-confidence - and therefore their happiness - in a manner alien to previous generations.

Given the prevailing cultural climate, it has never been more important that we give our kids the coping skills, sense of perspective, positive outlook and the mental resilience that they will need to navigate their way towards adulthood.

Ditching the games console and flying a kite together might be a good way to start 2019.