Nanny McPhee (2005)

The thing is this readers: although I have seen a string of excellent drahmahs recently (La Haine, Rachel Getting Married, Let the Right One In, plus Throne of Blood and A Woman Under the Influence are on deck) there comes a point in all this intense watching when Millie and I simply need the magical, unadulterated enjoyment provided only by experiencing a truly wonderful children's movie. I would also like to state for the record that its being British is a plus. So for those of you feeling the need for release, a pause even, from gang warfare, drug abuse, and the grim, distasteful reality that life is less uplifting than a Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, go to your local video purveyor and rent Nanny McPhee.

The Basics: A recent widow and father of seven, Mr. Brown (Colin Firth) has been through 17 nannies because his precocious, clever children send each one screaming from the house.Then, mysteriously and serendipitously the dowdy, warty, snaggletoothed Nanny McPhee (a sensational Emma Thompson) shows up on their front step, fearing not the plotting brood, but saying calmly that she has five lessons to teach the children: "When you need me, but do not want me, I shall stay. When you want me, but do not need me, then I shall go. It's rather sad really, but there it is." One other juicy detail is that Mr. Brown has to deal with his late wife's wealthy Aunt Adelaide (Angela Lansbury clearly having so much fun with her prosthetic nose and accentuated prrrrroper accent), who has vowed to take away her monthly allowace and send the children to work houses unless Brown marry within one month! As you may well have guessed, cheeky shenanigans ensue . . .

With the surprising loveability of Stardust and irresistible suspension of disbelief of The Adventures of Baron Muchausen, Nanny McPhee is, quite simply, delightful. Led by Emma "I can act anything" Thompson (who also wrote the screenplay by the by), the casts also boasts a bevy of extremely succesful dramatic stage and film actors: Firth (Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, Girl with a Pearl Earring), No Country For Old Men, Elizabeth, and Trainspotting alum Kelly MacDonald (so absolutely enchanting in her role as Evangeline, the scullery maid), Angela Lansbury, Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter and the nurse from Shakespeare in Love), Derek Jacobi, there's even a voice cameo from Phyllida Law, famous British actress for over forty years and Thompson's mamma. I have a sincere love of excellent children's films, but to my mind one element for top-notchery is having a cast of serious actors living in this world of fantasy and mysticism, in its way, making the whole thing so much more believable. I mean, if Thompson will do Henry V and Angels in America, this picture must surely be the real deal as well!

Nanny McPhee excels, in part, because of its presence: it makes no demands that you enter this world, but simply tells its story, and by the nature of the narrative - the subtle hints at magic, the intelligent British wit, the engaging characters - encourages one, if they so choose, to move a bit closer and listen. It's pure enchantment at its very best! So far from a big budget Disney that relies on huge names and obvious jokes, my mom, brother, and I all watched Nanny McPhee last night and loved it, not a kid in the room!

I sincerely dare you to see this movie and not enjoy it, even you Herb. I say this knowing that Nanny McPhee is no Apocalypse Now or Eternal Sunshine or any other going-to-blow-your-mind movie, it's no La Haine for that matter which I still haven't posted about and loved! However, that's not what you should be seeking from this film. It's a Sword in the Stone or Finding Neverland (without all the crying) or a Princess Bride - as they say, pure movie magic.

Millie's bees to knees meter (1 bee = blah, 10 bees = hoo-rah): 8