THE NANNY DIARIES

REVIEWED BY RISSI C.

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: language, innuendo, some sensuality

Rated:

In the Upper East Side of New York, twenty-one-year old Annie Braddock (Scarlett Johansson) is about to discover the meaning of “nanny." Recently a college graduate, Annie’s mom Judy has dreams of her getting into the business world while Annie is more interested in anthropology. 

Hoping to give a little back to her mom for raising her on her own, Annie goes on her first business interview and even wears a hideous suit. When the interview ends on less than an upbeat note, Annie goes to a park bench and ponders on “who Annie Braddock really is." Just when she’s resigned to someday becoming a bag lady, Annie spots a little boy in harm's way and rescues him. When his grateful mom Mrs. X. (Laura Linney) shows up, she mistakenly takes Annie for a nanny and with a quick exit gives Annie her card, saying to call sometime. After an interview with Mrs. X., Annie decides to temporarily take the job. Telling her mom she’s gotten a job at a prestigious business office and is now living in a plush apartment, Annie sets out for the East side of New York. Arriving at the X’s home, Annie is about to find out what she’s really gotten herself into.

First off her charge (Nicholas Art) is a brat who hates "the nanny" and isn’t about to listen to a single word she says. Secondly, she is simply known as Nanny to her employers, and Mrs. X. is always ordering her to take care of little errands. As Annie struggles to keep her mom in the dark and to become friends with Grayer, things become more complicated when she meets a guy that she dubs “Harvard Hottie” (Chris Evens) who also lives in the building. This new comedy gives us a glimpse into a nanny's life, even if it is exaggerated, and does have some genuinely funny and poignant moments. 

Having seen the trailer on my Miss Potter DVD, I decided this would be a must-see. It was somewhat different than I originally thought. Annie has a few “dreaming” moments in which a red umbrella will sometimes float down to take her over the city, while others she’ll picture a scene as statues in a museum, something I’m not sure was a completely necessary addition, as it was a bit strange. As for the rating, while there is worse material out there, it did have some disappointing aspects. Annie’s friend Lynnette is a party girl, but we never see any of her self-destructive behavior. Various characters drink, and there is one scene in a bar. Occasional homosexual remarks make it into the script. Some guys question whether or not “the dads are hot for Annie," to which she angrily gives them a piece of her mind. It was an awkward five to ten minutes and was a scene that could have been cut. 

Annie’s pants get pulled down, exposing her underwear. It's implied Annie and “Harvard Hottie” sleep together. A man is having an affair; we briefly see him in his office with his “girlfriend;" he also tries to get a women to “go to the market” with him, while making a pass at her. Language is used quite frequently, the worst offender being sh**. A cute storyline and decent acting make this a little more entertaining despite its disappointing content load. Nicholas Art is an adorable young actor and is really quite good as Grayer; he is very well cast as a child starved of love and attention. His last scene with Annie in particular shows he has lots of talent. I’m certain directors will continue to cast him in things. Scarlett Johansson does well enough as a nanny without a clue. Chris Evens and Scarlett have enough sparks between them for the small part their story plays in the overall film. His meeting Annie under rather humorous circumstances (well, for us the viewer) was particularly good. I liked how they carried that theme through all their meetings. Paul Giamatti as the father is okay in the part, but I preferred him in more serious roles. Rounding out the leading cast is Laura Linney, a good choice as an Upper East Side mother who always has designer handbags, clothes. She has to have her spa time and most the time is more interested in her social status then the needs of her child. 

The most touching scenes are between Nicholas and Scarlett; the well developed child-nanny relationship is probably the best aspect of the whole movie. Another particularly poignant scene comes about ten minutes before the film ends and involves the mothers of "nannied children" watching a video tape. The Nanny Diaries could have been an adorable PG rated comedy, but for whatever reason the writer/director chose to go with a more “trashy” screenplay. I don’t ever pretend to know why Hollywood does any of the things they do. Despite its flaws, it really is quite enjoyable with a slightly bittersweet end. Nevertheless, by its conclusion, lessons are learned that can’t be bought with any amount of money.