The Perfect Nanny (2000)

In the opening scene of "The Perfect Nanny," an unhappy-looking brunette woman grabs a knife from her kitchen, marches into the bedroom where two people are having sex, and . . . stabs herself in the stomach. It's an obvious twist. Unfortunately, it's the only twist in this dreadful made-for, which is aimed at illiterates. Literally. When the characters aren't thinking aloud, they're reading aloud from whatever book, e-mail or psychiatric case file just happens to be open in front of them. But that's fair, since the filmmakers assume their audience is as stupid as the characters in this movie, which, as the title helpfully telegraphs, is yet another thriller in the venerable "obsessive psycho insinuates herself into an innocent family's life" genre (along the lines "The Single White Female That Attracts The Cradle" or whatever). Since there is no suspense whatsoever in this thriller, its only possible entertainment value is the camp factor, which is, sadly, only moderate. The plot, or excuse for it, centers on Tracy Nelson as the unhappy brunette who, after being released from the psych ward, changes her name and becomes the receptionist for a child care service so she can emulate the heroine of her favorite romance novel, a nanny who marries her employer. Yes, you've already guessed how this sucker is going to end, so you might as well try to enjoy the ride. On the plus side, Katherine Helmond turns in yet another witty performance as yet another horrible old lady, this time the psychonanny's abusive mother. Fans of blood and gore will also appreciate the body count, as the malicious Mary Poppins leaves a trail of victims that would embarrass Ted Bundy. The weak link, as always, is the family that the au parasite stalks, which is so boring that only a psycho would want want to live with them. Widower Bruce Boxleitner is a brilliant neurosurgeon but apparently too stupid to check references, let alone notice that his college-aged daughter (Dana Barron) is actually in her mid-30s. (Sweet "young" Fawn is off to study English Literature at Cambridge in a few months -- it can't be easy to wait fifteen years for your Junior Year Abroad.) The kid who the caretaker is supposed to take care of, ten-year-old Ben, is an easily duped genius (like father, like son). 70s stalwart Susan Blakely, still looking pretty decent in a bathing suit, shows up as Bruce's colleague and potential love interest but doesn't get enough screen time to perk up the proceedings. So you've read that title, which tells you what's going to happen. Watch at your own risk.

I cannot be totally objective about this film as I have a soft spot for the lovely Susan Blakely who must have one of the most sincere faces on this earth ! This being the case, any film starring her will be a pleasure to watch for me ! That apart, I did find the film pretty good, I had already seen the film "The Perfect Tenant" which was made by the same director ( and also starred Tracy Nelson in the role of a mentally unsound woman ), Now as to Tracy Nelson herself, she indeed plays a very worrying and frightening character, you do actually forget she is acting and actually believe her to be the part she is playing. This is really quite frightening as her moves are psychotic and unpredictable. She commits brutal murder without really realizing what she is doing. She is living in a fantasy world and trying to act it out in real life. Not a film to be watched alone or late at night ! I am also very keen on the actor Bruce Boxleitner whom I have seen in several films previously. I have seen other readers compare this film to "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" with Jessica Lange. I did enjoy that but found this film far more frightening and anguishing, notably from the performance given by Tracy Nelson. I managed to find it on DVD in the USA and certainly didn't regret my purchase !

This movie was poorly written and poorly acted. The plot was so lousy and didn't make sense. A huge rip off of "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle". Tracy Nelson plays a young woman who tries to commit suicide and after being released from a mental hospital, goes out and finds a job as a nanny for a widower. She's obsessed with her romance novels and wants to live her life as in her novels. She begins to kill whoever gets in the way of her chance at the doctor and his children's lives. The whole movie itself was trash and yet again we have to cringe when we find out what good money is being used for. Tracy Nelson was the only good actor in this one but that was about it. I'd rather you stare at your walls then watch this snoozer. Give me a B-O-R-I-N-G!! What does that spell?? THIS MOVIE!!

Just like in THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE, the movie centers on a psycho nanny who'd do anything to keep her secret. And as people get suspicious, the bodycount begins and the walls close on the psycho nanny, leading to the invertible final climax.But here the motivation is different: it's not revenge, it's just pure madness and the main character's need to be loved "just like in the books".This movie never soars to incredible heights of suspense or originality, but it keeps the viewer interested, mostly due to the superb cast.It's definitely worth viewing. I liked it as a little snack. Not much more.