Steamboat Disney

Authors: Daniel Crooke
Location: Ohio

"Steamboat Disney"

Directed by: George Clooney
Screenplay by: Dan Futterman
Score by: Howard Shore

Principal Cast:

David Strathairn as Walt Disney
Haley Joel Osment as Walt Disney (teenager-mid 20s)
Carl Reiner as Roy Disney
Johnny Depp as Ub Iwerks
Glenn Close as Margaret J. Winkler
Edward Norton as Charles B. Mintz
Lily Tomlin as Lilly Disney
George Clooney as Ward Kimball
Robert Duvall as Elias Disney

Tagline: "The man behind the mouse"

Synopsis: "Steamboat Disney" tells the story of arguably the world's greatest animator, Walt Disney. Born to Elias Disney, a farmer, Disney lived a simple life. At 15 he sold newspapers, and when World War One began, Disney was there. While in basic training, the film shows Disney's beginning to draw and his love for animation. Before he could get to the war, an armistice was signed and the war was over. This is the first in a series of flashbacks in the film. The film is told through two different stories, the present Disney at the opening of Disneyland, and the story of how he got there (the flashbacks). An adult Disney and his wife Lilly are seated in a room waiting for the grand opening of Disneyland. He looks out the window to see what he has imagined and created. An entire area devoted to his creations. He sits back down to Lilly and the next flashback begins. In the second flashback, Disney and his brother Roy decide to go into business together and they meet animator Ub Iwerks.

The rest of the film goes in and out of flashbacks, introducing characters such as the distributor that had a crucial role in Disney's life, Margaret Winkler. Another flashback shows Disney creating "Oswald the lucky rabbit" and then Charles Mintz taking the rights to it. The most important flashback in the film, and the majority of the film, is Disney creating "Steamboat Willie" and Mickey Mouse with Ub Iwerks. The film later shows the process of Disney creating his many animated classics. The end of the film shows Disney opening the park and then going home. He pours himself a cup of coffee and pulls out a pad of paper. He begins to doodle on the paper and on the top of the paper it reads "Disney World".

What the press would say:

Go see "Steamboat Disney". That is the best advice I can give you this awards season. The rumored Walt Disney biopic is finally here and it is magnificent. The film weaves in and out between two stories. One, Walt Disney and his wife Lilly Disney are preparing for the opening of Disneyland. The second, which is most of the film, is Disney's story of getting where he was. From his training in WWI to the creation of "Steamboat Willie", this film shows it all. With an all-star cast featuring David Strathairn, Lily Tomlin, Carl Reiner, Glenn Close, and Johnny Depp, this film shines. Strathairn gives his best performance since "Good Night, and Good Luck.".

Mr. Strathairn once again proves that he is an incredible actor. Carl Reiner shows his dramatic abilities as Walt Disney's brother Roy. Reiner also sticks out in this cast. The lead female in the cast, Lilly Disney, is played by Lily Tomlin (coincidence?). Tomlin plays the part to perfection. She is a surefire lock for the Best Actress category. The film is directed by George Clooney. Clooney chose Strathairn to be his leading man once again, and it works. Clooney really is an exceptional director. An interesting part in the film is played by Johnny Depp. He plays Ub Iwerks, who is credited for much of the work on Mickey Mouse. Although it seems that Johnny Depp is popping up in every film this year, he really does do a very good job in this film. Haley Joel Osment also gives a great performance as the young Walt Disney. He could pick up a Best Supporting Actor nomination this year.

This is a great period biopic and I do believe it will win some major awards. "Steamboat Disney" is a must-see for moviegoers of all ages. It tells the story of the man behind the franchise and David Strathairn plays him to perfection. I can tell this film goes down in history as one of the greatest biopics ever. I have one piece of advice. Go see this film.

Nominations

Best Picture
Best Director- George Clooney
Best Actor- David Strathairn
Best Actress- Lily Tomlin
Best Supporting Actor- Haley Joel Osment
Best Supporting Actress- Glenn Close
Best Original Screenplay- Dan Futterman
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Costumes