NANNY McPHEE

“Nanny McPhee” is a poor man’s “Mary Poppins” with Emma Thompson as the nanny of last resort who appears as an answer to widower Mr. Brown’s prayers after his unruly brood of seven kids have driven off all the available nannies to parts unknown with their pranks.

At first Nanny McPhee’s face looks like it’s been hit by an asteroid. She’s a complete turnoff - physically. Ah but there’s reason. Her physical appearance works like a reverse ‘Picture of Dorian Gray,’ as if the imperfections on her face represented all the misdeeds of the Brown kids. Each time one learns something that puts them on the straight and narrow, one imperfection disappears after another until her face reflects the inner beauty that dwells within. Nanny gives the kids a set of rules to follow and goals to achieve. Each time one of them challenges her with a prank, it backfires exponentially. Slowly the kids mature under her guidance and tutelage.  Nanny says that when the kids feel the need to keep her,  then it’s time for her to go.

 “Nanny McPhee” never hits the highs it seems to strive for. The screenplay, written by Emma Thompson who won an Oscar for her adaptation of “Sense and Sensibility,” could have used the assuredness of a Raold Dahl to add more substance to some of the movie’s acid sense of humor.  The movie’s saving graces are the earnest performances of the actors. Colin Firth is all fluster as the at-his-wits-end Mr. Brown and Angela Lansbury is properly doughty as the Aunt who holds the financial future of the Brown family in her hands. Surprisingly, the most affecting character is the timid housekeeper (Kelly McDonald) whom the kids adore and Mr. Brown never gives a second look until the movie runs its course.

                                                                                                                      Copyright 2006