Nanny McPhee

[matt35mm]

Trailer Here

Emma Thompson, whose first screenplay won the 1995 Oscar® for "Sense and Sensibility," returns to screenwriting with "Nanny McPhee," a motion picture adaptation of the "Nurse Matilda" books by Christianna Brand. Thompson, the only person to have won Oscars® for both acting and writing, also plays the title role in Nanny McPhee, opposite Colin Firth, Kelly Macdonald and-in her first role for the big screen in two decades-Angela Lansbury.

In this dark and witty fable, Thompson portrays a person of unsettling appearance and magical powers who enters the household of the recently widowed Mr. Brown (Firth) and attempts to tame his seven exceedingly ill-behaved children. The children, led by the oldest boy Simon ("Love Actually"'s Thomas Sangster), have managed to drive away 17 previous nannies and are certain that they will have no trouble with this one. But as Nanny McPhee takes control, they begin to notice that their vile behavior now leads swiftly and magically to rather startling consequences.

Her influence also extends to the family's deeper problems, including Mr. Brown's sudden and seemingly inexplicable attempts to find a new wife; an announcement by the domineering Aunt Adelaide (Angela Lansbury) that she intends to take one of the children away; and the sad and secret longings of their scullery maid, Evangeline (Kelly Macdonald). As the children's behavior begins to change, Nanny McPhee's arresting face and frame appear to change as well, creating even more questions about this mysterious stranger whom the children and their father have come to love.

"Nanny McPhee" is directed by Kirk Jones (writer/director of "Waking Ned Devine"). The producers are Lindsay Doran (in her third collaboration with Thompson, following "Sense and Sensibility" and "Dead Again") and Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.

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I saw a sneak preview of this today (producer Lindsay Doran is a graduate from UC-Santa Cruz and arranged a screening here).  It opens on January 27th.  I'm pretty sure it's been playing in England and perhaps elsewhere, so I put it in the Now Playing thread.

This was a wonderful movie.  I have the feeling that the commercials for it will make it look quite stupid, but in actuality, it has the full qualities of the movie you'd hope would be made by the talent involved.  Emma Thompson's screenplay is very well written, well structured, paced very well (I believe she spent 6 years writing it), and she is fantastic in it.  Kirk Jones's direction is also quite solid (this movie is PG in the same way that Waking Ned Divine was PG, minus the wrinkly penis)--that is to say, vibrant and enjoyable, suitable for everyone without being dumbed down whatsoever.  The supporting cast--Colin Firth, Kelly MacDonald, Imelda Staunton, Angela Lansbury--all do very well, as do the child actors.

It's a storybook come to life in the best way.  There's also some sharp wit and hilarious slapstick which had the audience roaring (adults as well as the amazingly well behaved children in attendance).  It's a beautiful movie as well.  It's not a movie that necessarily fully captures your heart in the way the very best family films can, but it's definitely thouroughly likeable and very entertaining all the way through.  I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Grade: A-

P.S. Sometimes watching a movie with a roomful of children is really magical.  Kids of all ages were there, and none of them brats.  This film was definitely meant to be seen accompanied by the wonderful laughter of children, and I think that added to the experience for me.

P.P.S. I noticed the thread for Hookwinked.  If you or anyone you know might be thinking about watching that movie, watch this instead.