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Judy Thorburn's Movie Reviews

Nanny McPhee

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Judy Thorburn

Nanny McPhee

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Flick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha ChemplavilFlick Chicks Chick-O-Meter The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil

“NANNY MCPHEE” – CASTS A MAGICAL SPELL ON AUDIENCES

She’s no Mary Poppins.  Yes, Nanny McPhee may be British and a magical nanny, but that is where the comparison ends. McPhee is different for sure, and her scary appearance is just for starters.  Now that isn’t to say, like her movie predecessor of forty years ago, McPhee doesn’t cast a winning spell on audiences in this thoroughly enchanting fantasy for children and adults alike, because without a doubt she does.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Nanny McPhee, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Kelly MacDonald, Celia Imrie, Derek Jacobi, Imelda Staunton, Angela Lansbury, Celia Bannerman, Eliza Bennett, Elizabeth Berrington, Phyllida Law

Academy Award winning actress Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay and stars in the title role of Nanny McPhee, which is loosely based on Christianna Brands Nurse Matilda books of the 1960’s. She delivers a wonderful, restrained performance under all that prosthetic makeup and fat suit.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Nanny McPhee, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Kelly MacDonald, Celia Imrie, Derek Jacobi, Imelda Staunton, Angela Lansbury, Celia Bannerman, Eliza Bennett, Elizabeth Berrington, Phyllida Law

Set during the Victorian era, we are introduced to handsome undertaker, Cedric Brown (Colin Firth, Love Actually) who is at his wits end. His seven children have been out of control since their mother’s recent death. Eldest son Simon (Thomas Sangster), the leader of the pack, along with his siblings have managed to drive away 17 nannies with their nasty but clever shenanigans and unruly behavior. The most recent nanny couldn’t get out the door fast enough after being tricked into believing the little monsters ate the baby (twins Hebe and Zinnia Barnes). The feisty ex-military cook Mrs. Blatherwick (Imelda Staunton) knows too well what it’s like being a victim of their stunts and the caring, pretty servant Evangeline (Kelly MacDonald, Peter Pan, The Girl in the Café) can only sympathize with her employer, whom she secretly adores. To make matters worse, the children don’t realize their father has been struggling to make ends meet. They have been too busy rebelling from him because they feel they have been ignored, and are obsessed with ridding themselves of nannies or potential stepmothers. Beak nosed, Great Aunt Adelaide (Angela Landsbury) has been helping financially, but she has threatened to stop the support if Cedric doesn’t find a wife within a month, which means he could lose his children. The only likely candidate seems to be the obnoxious merry widow; Mrs. Quickly (a delicious over the top turn by Celia Imrie) an opportunist who couldn’t care less about the children but is eager to dig into, what she believes, is a goldmine.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Nanny McPhee, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Kelly MacDonald, Celia Imrie, Derek Jacobi, Imelda Staunton, Angela Lansbury, Celia Bannerman, Eliza Bennett, Elizabeth Berrington, Phyllida Law

After trying unsuccessfully to find a replacement nanny from any agency, Simon begins hearing a mysterious, quiet voice telling him “The person you need is Nanny McPhee”. So, lo and behold, one night during a rainstorm there is a knock on the door. Only, the nanny that shows up looks more like a frightful witch, with frizzy hair in a bun, unibrow, bulbous nose, facial moles and a large protruding snaggletooth, than a well-meaning governess. But, looks are deceiving as we are soon to find out. Nanny McPhee has special powers, which includes a crooked walking stick which, when she bangs it against the floor causes a miraculous effect. But a tyrant she’s not. Using slow and carefully chosen words and no nonsense disciplinary tactics, Nanny McPhee’s mission is to bring order to the household and transform her irresponsible charges by lovingly teaching them the consequences of their actions and five very important lessons about life, great messages for people of all ages. However, she makes it clear she won’t interfere with affairs of the heart. What’s more, after each lesson is completed, an aspect of Nanny’s outer ugly appearance fades away, eventually revealing an attractive, Thompson as she really looks.

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Nanny McPhee, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Kelly MacDonald, Celia Imrie, Derek Jacobi, Imelda Staunton, Angela Lansbury, Celia Bannerman, Eliza Bennett, Elizabeth Berrington, Phyllida Law

There is so much to like about this fantasy tale. First and foremost, Thompson has gathered as impressive, great cast who appear to be having a grand old time. Second, the beautiful production and costume design is filled with lush colors such as blues, greens and reds that gloriously pop out of the screen and enhance the fairy tale quality of the story.  Whimsical, funny, and slightly dark, this film blends clever touches of CGI effects like a talking donkey and an enchanted white snowfall ending (that I won’t divulge any more information about).

The Flick Chicks, film, video, movie reviews, critics, Judy Thorburn, Victoria Alexander, Polly Peluso, Shannon Onstot, Jacqueline Monahan, Tasha Chemplavil, Nanny McPhee, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Kelly MacDonald, Celia Imrie, Derek Jacobi, Imelda Staunton, Angela Lansbury, Celia Bannerman, Eliza Bennett, Elizabeth Berrington, Phyllida Law

Suffice to say, Nanny McPhee is a welcome surprise much like the titled character.  She makes it known, “When you need me but don’t want me I will stay. When you want me but don’t need me I will go”. The way I see it audiences need more of Nanny McPhee.  I hope that means we will get a sequel.

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