NANNY McPHEE

2005, Universal Pictures

Live action

Rating: PG

Approx. 97 mins.

THE STORY:

Cedric Brown (Colin Firth) has a lot on his plate: his wife has died, he has seven unruly children whom no nanny can tame, and he has no way of financially supporting his brood without the beneficence of his snooty, demanding aunt in-law (Angela Lansbury). Just when he has exhausted every possible nanny in the village, Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson) appears out of nowhere.

Parsimonious of tongue and startling of appearance, Nanny McPhee and her mysterious walking stick set about fixing the family by teaching the children-- and their father-- some essential lessons. 

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• "Lord love a duck"... so nothing significant

VIOLENCE:

• a baby comes close to being dropped in a pot of boiling stock, but it's fairly clear all will end well and not very frightening

TEACHING POINTS:

• the lessons we learn best are the ones we teach ourselves

THE UPSHOT:

This is just a very well-made movie in every respect-- the visuals, the script, the themes, the performances. Colin Firth is at his most beleaguered charming self and Emma Thompson, despite her overwhelming physical presence, is amazingly understated. 

Both the 5 year-old and the grown ups in the room enjoyed this one. The former liked the nonsensical, magical aspects, and the fantastical-seeming setting. It's a bit like Mary Poppins meets Alice in Wonderland. The adults liked the humour, the subtle, positive messaging, and the quaintness. There is a bit of 'ribaldry' at times, but the whole thing has an air of innocence.

Definitely worth the time it takes to watch.

5/5