The Nanny Diaries (2007)

I watched this on my DVR because, while channel surfing I had caught a scene with Paul Giammati and Laura Linney, two performers known for being fussy about what they choose to appear in. Also the scene was interesting. Upon viewing the whole thing I was put off at first by some of the fantasy effects at the start, but was then drawn into the story, which is essentially a withering, acid commentary on the lifestyles of the crass, materialistic, upward-striving Manhattan elite, with their conspicuous consumption and their empty lives. Giamatti's and Linney's couple is a painfully authentic portrayal of this type, and they play it to the hilt. Their neglect of their child, and their exploitation of the nanny is like watching a train wreck - awful but you can't take your eyes away. All this however is ruined by the tacky and unbelievable phony ending stitched on at the end. Johannsen's nanny manages, in a highly contrived fashion, to convince the mother of the error of her ways. But people this crass and callous don't change at the drop of a hat. Also the father is omitted entirely from this phony redemption. So we have here an interesting flick ruined by a phony happy ending.

The Nanny Diaries (2007): Dir: Shari Springer Berman / Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, Paul Giamatti, Chris Evans, Alicia Keys: Recycled story about progression and accomplishment. Scarlett Johansson trudges through familiar territory as someone trying to find herself and lands a job as a nanny for a spoiled brat. Setup is paced well otherwise it is formula heading to a gushy ending. Director Shari Springer Berman does an inspiring job with visual images but that is about the height of creativity here. Johansson is a fine talent undergoing the lead in a film that does her absolutely no justice and could hinder her chances at superior projects as a lead. She is traveling a road so many others have traveled to similar avail. We know the outcome and it hardly matters. Laura Linney is the too busy doing nothing mother who will get told by Johansson to get her act together. Again, another actress traveling material done before. Paul Giamatti plays the horny pig-headed workaholic father who has no time for family. Too bad he wasn't too busy for this dreaded film. Chris Evans is wasted as a potential boyfriend. He is basically a romantic prop with all the personality of floor cleaner. And how Alicia Keys taking a moment to star in this bullshit formula driven garbage? All that's left is a tired retread and an entry in the diary that should read, "Johansson, fire your agent!" Score: 3 / 10

Not sure what I think of this. We have a young girl, fresh out of school, bound to make it in the world take on a Nanny job. She has anthropological motives, she narrates, and basically studies a certain lifestyle that's supposed to be common to New York.Now, I like the way the movie was made like a diary. I like the way they displayed things like in a museum (I forgot the name of those envirosomethings behind glass) and how Annie approached the entire situation almost scientifically. I like the actors, the acting, even though the kid was not convincing. He was a bit wooden, but he was only 6 or 7 years old so it's no disaster.What really got me thinking is the reason why someone wanted to make a film like this. Is this really the way it is? Dads in important jobs spend no time at home, wives have no education and no jobs and still need Nannies? How screwed up do these children end up to be? I had the urge to punch every single one of those prissy child-producers (not calling them mothers) in that Parent something group. In a way it was a good film, because the characters really looked the part and you really wanted to beat them.Anyhow, Scarlett is a fine actress and this is a fine film. Think about it, and try to be a good parent.

Like chamomile tea, the Nanny Diaries is fragrant, has a delicate almost bland taste, is not bad at all, but after a while is totally forgotten. It is not going to harm you, but is not going to be a memorable experience either.For a movie that was supposed to be a comedy, this one is missing a few laughters. There are a few funny moments, but for the most part it is a light drama.This is a typical chick-flick for a cold rainy day. It is not a kid's movie, by the way...