THE NANNY DIARIES (2007)

Written & Directed By: Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini 
Based On The Novel By: Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus 
Cinematography By: Terry Stacey 
Editor: Robert Pulcini 

 Cast: Scarlett Johannson, Laura Linney, Chris Evans, Alicia Keys, Paul Giamatti, Donna Murphy, Cady Huffman, Nate Coddry, Julie White, James Urbaniak

After graduating from Montclair State, New Jersey Girl Annie can't make up her mind about what to do with her life. After saving a little boy from being run over in the park, she is quickly employed as a nanny for a rich Upper East Side couple. Mr X is occupied with his business, Mrs X loves shopping, and neither really likes to spend time with their little boy Grayer. Annie quickly learns that she has more than her hands full taking care of him. Her busy schedule doesn't give her much spare time. Mrs X fired her last nanny because she was dating and that gives Annie problems when Harvard Hottie who lives in the same building asks her out on a date.

The film had promise but shoots itself in the foot by making it more of a situational comedy that brings in drama out of nowhere.

The problem with this movie is it has no pizazz. It's so stale and depressing, yet it bills itself a comedy. It tries to make itself deeper and more artistic then it actually is

Now I admit I didn't read the book, but this film is almost a total failure from beginning to end. It seems like the film is trying to teach a message, yet there doesn't seem to be one.

I get the shock they try to put out there with things like. The mommies will speak through third person to their nannies. Who are right there in the same room with them. That the parents Barely know or interact with the children, only. At the end of the day right before the child goes to sleep so these nannies are really surrogate mothers often to the neglect of their own children. Hey hose women choose the professions and what it entailed. So I can't entirely feel sympathy for them, plus I don't feel like being preached to. Which is another thing this movie continuously does about making up your own mind about your future and following your heart. suffering in silence or being happy and independent.

You've seen these themes in much better movies, done better also. I couldn't even enjoy this film as popcorn fluff entertainment.

It seems to take itself that seriously. The sad part is Laura Linney is so good in it and all for nothing. This film has a better cast then it should filled with Broadway veterans, skilled actors and a throwaway role for Alicia keys. Her role is the epitome of stunt casting as the sassy minority friend.

Laura Linney’s character starts of. As a caricature, but then later becomes a full blooded human being, but by that time. It's too late we have already be trained to see her as an adversary. So how of why she is the way she is, just makes her seem like a product of evil only she is a lighter evil or really a destructive cycle of abuse going along and this is supposed to be a feel good comedy eventually right?

I guess as Johansson's Character overcomes her lot in life and learns lessons along the way and even gets a magnificent love interest. It slowly becomes cookie cutter, but the film mixed sharp satire with lazy physical comedy. than emotional moments come out of nowhere. That it just feels all over the place and shockingly reserved.

Many scenes play out like bad sitcom jokes and situations. Scarlett Johansson does have talent, but I am tired of her being miscast in Nerdy or Sexpot roles. She is obviously beautiful and smart. Strangely this film came the closest to her being a natural for a role. --So these roles where she is supposed to be unsure, nervous around boys. Not quite believing in herself are hard to believe when she looks like someone who has been handed things and has had boys interest all of her life. Sure she can try to play it, but she doesn't, but that doesn't necessarily make her a bad actress, she has time to get better, I just wish she would pick better roles more suited to her strengths. She's a good actress but comedy isn't necessarily one of her strengths. I admire her for picking roles early on her career that went against her bombshell looks, but it didn't help that as she was so young it was hard to see her in films as I seems she was never cast well more by name only.

The directors Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini were coming off of the film AMERICAN SPLENDOR try but the film feels lifeless things just seem to happen because they have to because that's how it happens in the book. Instead of for actual reasons.

 Grade: F