Saving Mr. Banks explores Walt Disney's (played by Tom Hanks) efforts to convince Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) that his company will make a worthy adaptation of her novel. In the film, Dublin's own Colin Farrell plays Travers' aggressive but affectionate father in flashback scenes. 

Farrell told Philip the script "was one of the most unique I've read in being genuinely sweet without being manipulative or overly sentimental. There was also a lovely whimsical sense of humour, that had quite an Irish lyricism about it in a way. I had none of the pressure of carrying the film... and I loved the character. He's kind of cursed by an overwhelming and continuous presence of melancholy in his heart and in his mind."

Given the nature of his role, Farrell didn't get to directly work with most of the other cast members (Annie Buckley plays a younger P.L. Travers, nicknamed Ginty). However, the actor did hold a 'Mary Poppins' viewing and dinner party in his house before filming began to get some of the cast and crew together. "They all were sitting around and watching [Mary Poppins]..." he recalls. "It was lovely."

Admiring the cast director John Lee Hancock managed to assemble - including supporting roles for the likes of Paul Giamatti, Jason Scwhartzman and Bradley Whitford - he admits "I would have liked to particularly have worked with Emma Thompson. She's just brilliant, and brilliant in the film. She's just a wonderful woman".

Colin also discussed his current lifestyle, having shaken off the wild reputation that followed him during much of his early career. Having moved to L.A., he says "it's easier to live a sober lifestyle. There's not as much of a pub culture there. I love [yoga], I've been doing it for two years. I've just gone from one cliché to another!"

Colin elaborated on some of the current projects he's involved with, and also discussed some of the great directors he's worked with over the course of his career so far.

You can listen to the full Picture Show interview with Colin via the player above.