Review: Nanny McPhee (B)

Nanny McPhee (2005)
Directed by Kirk Jones
Starring Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury, Kelly Macdonald, Thomas Sangster, Eliza Bennett, Jennifer Rae Daykin, Raphaël Coleman, Sam Honywood, Holly Gibbs.
MPAA: PG
Grade: B

Reviewed by Ellyn Elm

Surprisingly warm and charming, Nanny McPhee stars Emma Thompson as a grotesque and mysterious governess who puts the reigns on her seven unruly young charges. The plot line is fairly simple but its execution offers up a rich palette of colors, several spooky scenes and some delightful performances.

Emma Thompson gives us a smart, solid performance that exudes a creepiness appropriate to the role. As Nanny McPhee, Thompson's cleverness comes across without any of the patronage I usually feel in her performances. Angela Lansbury stands out as the penurious aunt in her brief time on screen. Colin Firth's role as the bumbling, ill-equipped father of seven is adequate. But, the children really shine in this movie, especially Thomas Sangster's, Simon, and the scullery maid, Evangeline, played by Kelly Macdonald.

Nanny McPhee contains some particularly dark scenes and several sexually suggestives scenes hence the PG rating. Overall, Nanny McPhee is a witty, fun ride in a fantastic realm of mystery and magic.

Buy Nanny McPhee On DVD