The Nanny Diaries
08-25-07, 06:58 PM
#1
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
The Nanny Diaries
Scarlett Johansson takes on the role of the unlikely nanny in "The Nanny Diaries", playing Annie, a recent college grad who doesn't really know what to do with her life and flakes on her job interview (don't these people interview before they graduate from college?). In a quick series of unintended circumstances, Annie becomes a nanny to a young boy who has a rich and unattentive father, and a mother with control issue and lacks a mothering instinct.
Laura Linney plays the mother, and I think the reason why this film isn't all that watchable is because the character of the mother is simply too strident of a character, tough to accept her mothering deficiencies on display in the film, and Annie has to adjust quickly to all of the deficiencies in order to keep the nanny job, a job she's all at once over-qualified and under-qualified for such responsibilities.
So, in the end, the film failed to engage me on a higher level, but it does have a bittersweet ending in some ways that doesn't necessarily ring false, but doesn't impress, either.
I give it 2.5 stars, or a grade of C+.
Laura Linney plays the mother, and I think the reason why this film isn't all that watchable is because the character of the mother is simply too strident of a character, tough to accept her mothering deficiencies on display in the film, and Annie has to adjust quickly to all of the deficiencies in order to keep the nanny job, a job she's all at once over-qualified and under-qualified for such responsibilities.
So, in the end, the film failed to engage me on a higher level, but it does have a bittersweet ending in some ways that doesn't necessarily ring false, but doesn't impress, either.
I give it 2.5 stars, or a grade of C+.
Last edited by Patman; 08-27-07 at 09:59 AM.
08-27-07, 09:33 AM
#2
Moderator
I thought Linney was great, but the film on the whole - meh! It started out fine, but kind of got stuck on auto pilot - Giamatti's usual great acting was wasted on a trivial character.
I thought the movie was kind of meanspirited. I'd give it a C as well.
I thought the movie was kind of meanspirited. I'd give it a C as well.
08-27-07, 09:57 AM
#3
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
I thought it was surprisingly good. Everyone involved was great and I enjoyed watching it. Linney is good but Scarlett still gets me every time. She is so good and even if she doesn't go method for every role - she's still my favorite young actress.
Not an Oscar movie but like the DVD Talk review said: frothy fun. Has a lot of heart to it as well.
Not an Oscar movie but like the DVD Talk review said: frothy fun. Has a lot of heart to it as well.
08-27-07, 11:34 AM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised by it... Good Sunday afternoon time waster. And for any reason to see SJ bent over in her undies 
I think one of the reason's I liked it as much as I did is because I know people exactly like Linney's character (although they all seem to be in Brooklyn Heights and not the Upper East Side).
I think one of the reason's I liked it as much as I did is because I know people exactly like Linney's character (although they all seem to be in Brooklyn Heights and not the Upper East Side).
