I got this movie because I thought it would be fun to watch with the kids, but then realised it was M-Rated and probably wouldn’t be suitable. Now that I’ve watched it I’m not quite sure who it’s aimed at. It plays out like a kids comedy that has lost its course and ventured into adult themes, which makes it sit uncomfortably between genres. Of course I could be missing the point somewhere along the line, having got it for a family movie night, you’ve already probably come to the conclusion that its not the type of movie I’d normally choose, and as such, I’m making an educated guess that it may just fall into the chick flick category and way out of my sphere of appreciation.
The basic plot goes something like this: recent grad (Johansson) is having a pre-life crises and rather that take a high paying job in the financial district falls into the role of a nanny for a Manhattan socialite. She falls in love with cute kid, and rich college grad upstairs. Problems with socialite’s marriage causes all manor of hardship for nanny, nanny has to discover who she really is and find true love in the process.
The style of storytelling, like a visual diary going back over a period of time that was is somewhat jarring in its storytelling, and the lead role as Nanny isn’t really Johansson’s cup of tea. The inclusion of Paul Giamatti as the uncaring, preoccupied and unfaithful husband/father is pure genius, and this alone gave me some relief from the rest of the movie.
Food for thought: If The Nanny Diaries did one thing well, it was it’s social message about the role of nannies in our modern society. It was laid on rather thick at the end, but the message was great: Parents have been given the greatest gift in the world, and it’s their job to cherish that gift.
Reviewed by: Jonathan Read. Rating: M – Contains Low level Offensive Language Duration: 109 mins. Genre: Romantic Comedy. Director: Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer Berman. Actors: Laura Linney, Paul Giamatti, Donna Murphy, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Alicia Keys. Distributor: Roadshow. Release Date: Out Now.
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