Nanny McPhee (2005)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Kirk Jones

Writers:

Christianna Brand (books)
Emma Thompson (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 January 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

You'll Learn To Love Her. Warts And All.

Plot:

Emma Thompson stars as a governess who uses magic to rein in the behavior of seven ne'er-do-well children in her charge.

Plot Keywords:

Nanny | Children | Magic | Governess | Prank

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Emma Thompson	...	Nanny McPhee
Colin Firth	...	Mr. Brown
Kelly Macdonald	...	Evangeline
Thomas Sangster	...	Simon Brown
Eliza Bennett	...	Tora Brown
Jennifer Rae Daykin	...	Lily Brown
Raphaël Coleman	...	Eric Brown
Samuel Honywood	...	Sebastian Brown
Holly Gibbs	...	Christianna Brown
Hebe Barnes	...	Baby Agatha Brown
Zinnia Barnes	...	Baby Agatha Brown
Angela Lansbury	...	Aunt Adelaide
Celia Imrie	...	Mrs. Quickly
Imelda Staunton	...	Mrs. Blatherwick
Elizabeth Berrington	...	Letitia

Also Known As:

Nanny McPhee (France)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild thematic elements, some rude humor and brief language.

Runtime:

97 min | Philippines:98 min

Country:

USA | UK | France

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

UK:U | Ireland:G | Australia:PG | Germany:o.Al. | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:AL | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:Atp | Portugal:M/6 | Malaysia:U | Sweden:Btl | Finland:K-7 | Iceland:L | Philippines:G | Canada:G (Ontario) | South Korea:All | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Make-up designer Peter King designed the final look of the main character at the first attempt - a rare occasion for makeup designers as they would design many make-ups before the selection.

Goofs:

Continuity: Following the food fight, the amount and placing of icing on Evangeline's face changes between long shots and close-ups.

Quotes:

Mr. Brown: The truth is, I can't support my own family. I never have been able to. There were so many of you... but you were all so delicious.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Castle: Nanny McDead (#1.2)" (2009)

Don't let the trailers fool you

I almost missed this one because I was turned off by the commercials and previews, with their emphasis on the silliest parts (the dancing donkey, etc.). What a mistake that would have been -- I'd have missed one of the driest, archest, loveliest scripts in years. Emma Thompson can do more with a slightly quirked eyebrow and a quiet "Hm" than most actresses can with an entire Shakespearean soliloquy. The whole cast, children and adults alike, is pretty near perfect, some of the best of the British theater even in the tiniest roles (Derek Jacobi, Imelda Staunton et al). The kids are tough and tart, without a simper in the lot, unlike most US child stars.

Don't let the trailers keep you away -- this is well worth seeing, sort of what Lemony Snicket should have been but wasn't.