Nanny McPhee

Nanny McPhee—adapted by Emma Thompson from Christianna Brand's Nurse Matilda children's books about a nanny who magically transforms unruly children into responsible tykes—is a delightful surprise, perhaps the best family film since 1995's Babe. Thompson also proves wonderfully droll in the title role as a stern woman with a grotesque snaggletooth and several huge moles who claims she has been sent by the government to the rambling home of a dotty widower mortician whose seven kids have just driven away their 17th nanny. In short order, Nanny McPhee uses her special abilities to teach her charges proper behavior (from observing bedtime to life lessons), while also helping to keep the family together in the face of threats from a rich aunt who wants to cut off all financial support unless the father remarries—a possibility that compels him to consider wedding a flamboyant and strident widow. Under the dexterous hand of director Kirk Jones, the picture mixes whimsy, slapstick, and engaging quirkiness, but what really shines is the astonishingly colorful and magical production design (outside of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, few films since The Wizard of Oz have managed this sort of candy-colored appearance so well). Visually witty and almost unfailingly charming—even when resorting to that old silent-movie chestnut, the pie fight—Nanny McPhee should become a family perennial favorite. Highly recommended. [Note: Available in either widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include two audio commentaries (one by director Kirk Jones and the child cast; the other with producer Lindsay Doran and screenwriter star Emma Thompson), seven deleted scenes (13 min.), a 12-minute featurette on “Casting the Children,” a “How Nanny McPhee Came To Be” segment chronicling the journey from book to screen (8 min.), a “Nanny McPhee Makeover” that explores Thompson's transformation into the homely character (6 min.), a four-minute “Village Life” production design featurette, a three-minute gag reel, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an excellent family film.] (F. Swietek)[Blu-ray Review—Aug. 17, 2010—Universal, 99 min., PG, $26.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2005's Nanny McPhee sports a good transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 sound. Blu-ray extras are nearly identical to the DVD version, replacing the original audio commentary featuring star Emma Thompson and producer Lindsay Doran with a new track by director Kirk Jones and the child cast. Holdover extras include seven deleted scenes (13 min.), a 12-minute featurette on “Casting the Children,” a “How Nanny McPhee Came To Be” segment chronicling the story from book to screen (8 min.), a “Nanny McPhee Makeover” on star Emma Thompson's transformation into the homely character (6 min.), a “Village Life” production design featurette (4 min.), a gag reel (3 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a fine Blu-ray debut for an excellent family film.]