NANNY MCPHEE has arrived to the delight of parents and kids alike! Surprised? [On DVD now!]
NANNY MCPHEE
Family audiences unite, especially if you love magic!
3 stars (out of 4) [2005)UK-US/2006 USA release/Universal/Rated PG] - (1 hr. 38 min.)
Directed by Kirk Jones
Screenplay by Emma Thompson
Source: based on the books by Christianna Brand
Lead character/Cast
Nanny McPhee - Emma Thompson
The Browns:
Mr. Brown (the father) - Colin Firth
Simon (the oldest) - Thomas Sangster
Tora - Eliza Bennett
Lily - Jenny Daykin
Eric - Raphael Coleman
Sebastian - Samuel Honywood
Christianna - Holly Gibbs
Baby Agatha - Hebe & Zinnia Barnes
Review:
For those of you who like a little 'magic' in your movies, you needn't rue the departure of Mr. 'Harry Potter' from theaters now that 'Nanny Mcphee' has come to town. Odd mixture of dead bodies (Mr. Brown works at a mortuary) and boisterous kiddies will be readily accepted by the Tim Burton family-film set, but others might want to check with local reviewers for standards of acceptability.
Luckily, the majority of the movie takes place at the Brown's large (cadaver-free) home, though the ruthless kiddies do play a gruesome joke on their current nanny to scare her away and make room for the title character.
Fans of Colin Firth will be pleased that his characterization of the father plays to both his strengths as a comic actor and a romantic bumbler (re: "The Importance of Being Earnest"). Sadly, Emma Thompson ("Sense and Sensibility") is covered with so much make-up that only her keen delivery of dialogue registers for comedic effect, especially some well conceived running gags.
Not a perfect film, but certainly a MUST-SEE for family audiences who readily succumb to enchantment. Rising young thesp Thomas Sangster ("Chronicles of Narnia: ...") leads his brood of brothers and sisters (7 in all) with all the gusto of the brattiest of brats.
Lastly, a definite MUST-SEE for the single Dad's who will relate to the widowed Mr. Brown's numerous dilemmas in no small measure! In fact, the distributors should have saved this film for Father's Day! Oh well, better sooner than later I always say, so check it out before it's too late!
Supporting characters/Cast
Evangeline (the scullery maid) - Kelly Macdonald
Mrs. Quickly (the fiance) - Celia Imrie
Mrs. Blatherwick - Imelda Staunton
Mr. Wheen (Mortuary employee) - Derek Jacobi
Mr. Jowls (Mortuary employee) - Patrick Barlow
Aunt Adelaide - Angela Lansbury
MOVIE website
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