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Posted : 13 years ago on 13 April 2011 11:36
Even though I didn't have some really high expectations for this movie, unfortunately, it still turned out to be disappointing. In fact, it is only after watching the damned thing that I discovered that the directors (Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini) were also responsible for the awesome 'American Splendor'. Basically, 'American Splendor' was an original, gripping, spellbinding little indie gem whereas this second directing effort was just lazy, unimaginative and seriously tedious to watch. Indeed, in spite of the interesting cast (Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, Paul Giamatti, Alicia Keys), I was rather bored by the whole thing. In fact, I thought that two characters involved were just completely despicable (Mr X and Mrs X). I have noticed that Roger Ebert was slightly more more enthousiast about it than I was but I thought the whole thing was just downright average. Fortunately, after this movie, Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini would deliver 'The Extra man' which has been praised by some of my favorite listal members so I will definitely check it out at some point. Anyway, to conclude, I still think this movie had some potential but, at the end of the day, it remains a really average flick and it is not really worth a look whatsoever.
The Nanny Diaries Reviews
The Nanny Diaries
Posted : 16 years, 3 months ago on 25 January 2008 11:44
I must confess, I expected a lot from this film. The directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini had previously made American Splendor, a very original film that was a great surprise to me. Having this in mind plus the help of Scarlett Johansson in the main role elevated my expactations towards The Nanny Diaries.
Don't get me wrong, the film has its moments, and they're not rare.
Scarlett is great as always, as Annie Braddock a young woman who had just graduated from college and has no idea what to do with her life from now on. Like magic, a "temporary" job appears in front of her after she knows Grayer and his mom, Mrs. X (a very original move by the script naming her like that) played by the also very talented Laura Linney, who's the typical Upper East Side rich woman. Now Annie has an income untill she decides what to do for real in her life.
The narration done by Annie during the entire film is very well placed, and it doesn't sound unnecessary at any moment, instead it makes everyday situations faced by the nannys of rich women, comic.
The main problem I had with The Nanny Diaries, is Annie's romance with her boss' neighbor, played by Chris Evans (best known as the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four films) which sounds completely out of tune with the rest of the film.
The main parts of the film are very well portrayed. Annie has a bit of ingenuity and somewhat of a critical eye towards certain situations, which doesn't sound fake. Mrs. X ultimately makes us feel compassion for her, something quite difficult to achieve towards a rich and futile woman. The kid (Nicholas Art) is very well and also doesn't sound forced at any moment. And finally the father, Mr. X (Paul Giamatti) is very well as the distant father who works, works and works just to be far from his family.
The only problem is Chris Evans and his character, who is really futile and selfish, what makes me think: Annie with all her wits and common sense, how did she not saw her boyfriend's personality from the start?
Don't get me wrong, the film has its moments, and they're not rare.
Scarlett is great as always, as Annie Braddock a young woman who had just graduated from college and has no idea what to do with her life from now on. Like magic, a "temporary" job appears in front of her after she knows Grayer and his mom, Mrs. X (a very original move by the script naming her like that) played by the also very talented Laura Linney, who's the typical Upper East Side rich woman. Now Annie has an income untill she decides what to do for real in her life.
The narration done by Annie during the entire film is very well placed, and it doesn't sound unnecessary at any moment, instead it makes everyday situations faced by the nannys of rich women, comic.
The main problem I had with The Nanny Diaries, is Annie's romance with her boss' neighbor, played by Chris Evans (best known as the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four films) which sounds completely out of tune with the rest of the film.
The main parts of the film are very well portrayed. Annie has a bit of ingenuity and somewhat of a critical eye towards certain situations, which doesn't sound fake. Mrs. X ultimately makes us feel compassion for her, something quite difficult to achieve towards a rich and futile woman. The kid (Nicholas Art) is very well and also doesn't sound forced at any moment. And finally the father, Mr. X (Paul Giamatti) is very well as the distant father who works, works and works just to be far from his family.
The only problem is Chris Evans and his character, who is really futile and selfish, what makes me think: Annie with all her wits and common sense, how did she not saw her boyfriend's personality from the start?
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