The Nanny Diaries DVD Review

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"The Nanny Diaries" reviews

DVD

The Nanny Diaries

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2008-02-08 15:50:32

Provider

DVD Review

Scarlett Johansson is Annie Braddock, the New Jersey graduate who accepts a job as nanny to the desperate and demanding Mrs X played by Laura Linney; her absent husband (Paul Giamatti) and obnoxious son, Grayer.

The hugely successful 'roman a clef' on which the film is based is written by former nannies Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. But in the film, much of the cynicism is lost. Rather than a child-psychology major who puts herself through college with regular babysitting jobs, Annie Braddock is now a recent graduate who chooses nannying over finance on a whim. So the film becomes a soul searching journey for the 21-year-old rather than a lacerating look at the high class childcare subculture of the Upper East Side.

We are still privy to miserable and lonely socialite Mrs X's inability to find time for her son, while making ample opportunity for shopping on Madison Avenue. There is also much mirth to be had from observing the absurdly micro-managed life of Grayer, from his pre-programmed play sessions to his mother's disdain for dairy products and the entire West Side of Manhattan.

More tender are the flirtatious foyer moments Annie has with the 'Harvard Hottie' and the genuine relationship she builds with her ward.

But in the final analysis writer-directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (who did a better job with American Splendour) have made a mediocre rom-com rather than a biting satire.

DVD extras include Confessions From The Original Nannies, The Making Of The Nanny Diaries, Exclusive Bloopers and Trailers.