Walt Before Mickey

Walt Before Mickey, a biographical drama filmed in 2015, explores the early years of the iconic Walt Disney, delving into his trials, tribulations, and steady rise to recognition in the realm of animation. Under Khoa Le as its director, the movie stars Thomas Ian Nicholas as a young Walt Disney – a casting choice which brilliantly reflected the youthful, ambitious and enduring spirit of Disney.

Before he became an emblem of joy for children and adults, Walt Disney was just an ambitious man trying to make his mark in an ever-evolving world. This biopic attempts to decode the myth surrounding Disney and humanize him for audiences, showcasing the struggles that predestined his successes and secured his place in the global cultural lexicon.

Thomas Ian Nicholas, known for his roles in American Pie and Rookie of the Year, realistically embodies the sheer resilience, optimism, and entrepreneurial spirit of Walt Disney. His performance delves deep into Disney's character, giving audiences an intimate understanding of his early life, ambitions, strategies, and the consistent rejections he faced before achieving his ground-breaking success.

Jon Heder of Napoleon Dynamite fame steps into the role of Roy Disney. He exhibits an incredible performance as Walt's brother and unceasing supporter, displaying the character's unflinching faith in Walt's dream. The witty, loving and believable chemistry between Thomas Ian Nicholas and Jon Heder is one of the most endearing aspects of the film, capturing the strong bond between Walt Disney and Roy Disney, which helped shape their legend as a team.

Armando Gutierrez shines out in a supporting role as Ub Iwerks, Disney’s chief animator during his early years. He beautifully showcases the creative synergy between Ub and Walt. The film gives a compelling portrayal of how the fusion of their dreams and talent made them ahead of their time, sketching a golden path for future animators.

The plotline carefully constructs the story of Walt's nine-year sojourn in Kansas City, capturing the many nuances of his life during that critical phase. It encapsulates numerous business ventures Walt embarked upon before creating the globally beloved Mickey Mouse – including Newman's Laugh-O-Grams, the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, the creation of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and the unfortunate falling out with their distributor.

Walt Before Mickey provides an intimate peek into Walt's personal life as well. His relationships with his family, friends, partners, and love interest are deftly handled, instilling a sense of realism and relatability that audiences can connect with. The film strikes a delicate balance between exploring Disney’s business ventures and his emotional journey.

The cinematography, inspired by the classic era's aesthetics, provides the ideal backdrop for this nostalgic tale, immersing the viewer in the time period. The charm and flavor of the 1920s and 30s are vividly brought to life through detailed production design, costume, and makeup.

The screenplay, based on Timothy S. Susanin's book, translates well onto the screen by portraying the trials and triumphs of Walt's early career in a compelling narrative arc. The dialogues are peppered with humor, inspiration, and touching emotional moments that keep viewers engaged and invested in Walt’s journey. The music score, too, particularly stands out and perfectly matches the moods and tones of the movie.

In a nutshell, Walt Before Mickey delivers a captivating exploration of Walt Disney's formative years before becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It's a powerful story about perseverance in the face of hardship, the bonds of sibling love and friendship, and the power of dreams to guide one's destiny, inspiring audiences through the resilient spirit of a man considered a symbol of childhood imagination and magic.

This biopic successfully unravels the fact that Walt Disney, like any of us, had humble origins, faced numerous disappointments, rejections, and setbacks but never ceased to dream and strive. A must-watch for everyone who has ever drawn hope from the words "If you can dream it, you can do it."