Review: Nanny McPhee Returns

I didn't watch Nanny McPhee when the movie was released in 2005. Frankly, I found the image of the lovely Emma Thompson done up with hairy moles and snaggletooth quite frightening. However, after seeing Nanny McPhee Returns this week, I learned my own lesson from Nanny "little C, big P" McPhee -- don't judge a book by its cover.  Award-winning actress and writer Thompson reprises her role as screenwriter and star, but this time she's also the executive producer, which might explain some of the big names in Nanny McPhee Returns. However, it's not just the stars in the cast that make this film enjoyable. Thompson's screenwriting skills provide the youngest members of the cast with well-developed characters.

Based on characters created by Christianna Brand in the Nurse Matilda series, the central plot of Nanny McPhee Returns focuses on the same formula. An unintentional single parent is pestered by misbehaving children, and Nanny McPhee arrives to teach the children five lessons. Maggie Gyllenhaal portrays Isabel Green, a mother overwhelmed by her three children as well as their two spoiled cousins who come to stay with them to avoid bombs falling in London (it's set during WWII). Mr. Green (Ewan McGregor in a cameo appearance) has been away fighting in the war, and the family is in danger of losing the farm. Mrs. Green works in the local shop where she has to clean up after the forgetful elderly Mrs. Docherty (Maggie Smith).

Eldest son Norman Green (Asa Butterfield) comes up with a way to pay for repairs to their tractor so they can bring in the harvest. However, their scheming uncle Phil (Rhys Ifans) thwarts their efforts. As it turns out, his massive gambling debt puts his kidneys and the family farm at risk from collection by Miss Topsey and Miss Turvey ... two debt collectors I wouldn't want knocking on my door. The children must work together to solve their dilemnas, and Nanny McPhee provides just enough magic to help them along the way. Of course it doesn't hurt that the cousins' father Lord Gray (Ralph Fiennes) is head of the War Department.

I have to admit that initially I thought Nanny McPhee Returns was a bit ridiculous, but after reminding myself that the film is based on a children's storybook I settled in for a pleasurable ride. Roald Dahl fans should enjoy the whimsical nature of this movie, especially when reminded to be careful what you wish for. The first lesson in "self-discipline" may come across a bit harsh to some folks, but I think the true message is "do unto others." The special effects are a bit over the top at times, but for a kids' movie they are much more palatable than last summer's Shorts. The sychronized swimming of the pigs had me groaning, but I know that it'll be the favorite for my mother and her second-grade class.

What really stands out in Nanny McPhee Returns is the character development of the children, most notably Norman Green and his cousins Cyril (Eros Vlahos) and Celia Gray (Rosie Taylor-Ritson). Having recently enjoyed Asa Butterfield's performance in the emotionally moving film The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, I was quite pleased to see Butterfield in a well-thought out role as Norman. Here's a young boy who is doing what he can to help maintain the farm while his father is away, and determined that the family not lose hope. Cyril and Celia could have easily been shallow one-dimensional characters as the spoiled cousins. However, instead we see their vulnerabilities and true desire not to have absentee parents, with a mother busy in her social life and a father caught up with the war.

The adult stars of Nanny McPhee Returns chewed up the scenery, and could have easily overwhelmed their younger counterparts. I have to wonder how much fun Rhys Ifans had as the dastardly bumbly uncle Phil, and Gyllenhaal with her British accent and looks of exasperation were just enough cheese to top off the frivolity. Fiennes is splendid as Lord Gray, an austere man who finally sees that his young son Cyril may be worthy of his time. Emma Thompson as the Nanny is of a less serious and more convivial nature in this installment. Their performances were well-balanced with the younger cast members, who turned in great performances. Even the youngest Oscar Steer as Vincent Green stole the screen a few times due to his cuteness factor.

Nanny McPhee Returns has a few tragic moments, and deals with "adult" topics such as war and organ removal for debtors, but like most children's stories there's a happy ending for all -- well, maybe not for the dastardly uncle. I enjoyed this film enough to rent Nanny McPhee that same night through Amazon Video on Demand. Although I can say that you don't have to see the first film to follow the storyline in Nanny McPhee Returns, there are a couple of Easter eggs that are a treat to find if you've seen them both -- not to mention the dashing Colin Firth as the harried parent in Nanny McPhee. Families should truly enjoy watching Nanny McPhee Returns for an end of the summer fare, appealing to kids of all ages.