NANNY McPHEE is not a perfect film for children or adults, but it does pass the time pleasantly with some gorgeous color photography that has to be seen to be believed. The cinematography is top notch, the Patric Doyle score is full of deft touches, and the cast is impeccable.
But the script seems like a rather patchwork sort of thing, uneven but overall has enough interest to keep anyone entertained with this story of a nanny who assigns herself to take care of a widower's seven unruly children in Victorian England. However, it's not up to the standards that Miss Thomposon imposed on her script for SENSE AND SENSIBILITY.
Emma Thompson has been uglified with warts and a protruding tooth to make sure we don't regard her as another sugar-coated version of Mary Poppins. It's a role she apparently feels comfortable in despite what her fans may think. But she's written a wonderful role for COLIN FIRTH as the father who has absolutely no control over some noisy children, yet manages to keep a cheerful disposition on the surface. He proves adept at playing impish humor and runs away with most of the acting honors.
Angela Lansbury too has been harshly made up sporting an over-sized crooked nose to play the strict Aunt Adelaide and she is strident, foolish and hilarious in the part, obviously not giving a fig what her fans might think of her appearance. Her scenes with Firth are among the most humorous in the film. Derek Jacobi, Imelda Staunton and Kelly Macdonald stand out in vivid supporting roles.
The children are believably rowdy, especially the boy Simon played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster, a mischievous combination of good and evil.
Technically, the film is a marvel to look at--gorgeous outdoor settings and overstuffed interiors in stunning color, and well paced by director Kirk Jones.
But the script seems like a rather patchwork sort of thing, uneven but overall has enough interest to keep anyone entertained with this story of a nanny who assigns herself to take care of a widower's seven unruly children in Victorian England. However, it's not up to the standards that Miss Thomposon imposed on her script for SENSE AND SENSIBILITY.
Emma Thompson has been uglified with warts and a protruding tooth to make sure we don't regard her as another sugar-coated version of Mary Poppins. It's a role she apparently feels comfortable in despite what her fans may think. But she's written a wonderful role for COLIN FIRTH as the father who has absolutely no control over some noisy children, yet manages to keep a cheerful disposition on the surface. He proves adept at playing impish humor and runs away with most of the acting honors.
Angela Lansbury too has been harshly made up sporting an over-sized crooked nose to play the strict Aunt Adelaide and she is strident, foolish and hilarious in the part, obviously not giving a fig what her fans might think of her appearance. Her scenes with Firth are among the most humorous in the film. Derek Jacobi, Imelda Staunton and Kelly Macdonald stand out in vivid supporting roles.
The children are believably rowdy, especially the boy Simon played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster, a mischievous combination of good and evil.
Technically, the film is a marvel to look at--gorgeous outdoor settings and overstuffed interiors in stunning color, and well paced by director Kirk Jones.