The person you need is Nanny McPhee…and if you are looking for an hilarious, yet heartwarming film, then indeed she is the person you need. The second Nanny McPhee film adapted from the Nurse Matilda books written by Christianna Brand, opens seventy-some years after the first. Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is getting on the best she can taking care of three children, their farm and holding down a job in a shop while her husband is
Nanny McPhee Returns ©Universal Pictures
fighting in World War II. She seems to be doing fairly well until she learns her niece and nephew will be staying with them to escape the London Blitz. The proverbial last straw comes when she discovers her co-worker, Mrs. Docherty has filled the drawers of the shop with molasses. As she turns to leave the store, the drawers begin to open and say, “The person you need is Nanny McPhee.” She shakes her head and runs home to find that the children from have arrived early London and you guessed it, they are not getting along with her children. Of course, the green children are farm children and their cousins are snotty city kids. It’s not too long before there’s a knock at the door and it’s Nanny McPhee — Big M, little c, Big P. Once again played by Emma Thompson and sporting crooked teeth, a uni brow and several large moles. Of course, she’s toting her magic cane and she teaches the children the first of five lessons they must learn — stop fighting — within minutes. She also starts the children on lesson two before putting them to bed. Gee, this woman it good, I’ll bet lots of parents out there would love to hire her. She tells the children one more thing before they nod off — “When you need me but do not want me, then I’ll stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go.” Of course, the snotty city cousin Cyril says, “Who would want you.” As in the first movie, as the children learn their lessons, the moles, crooked teeth, etc. disappear as the children learn their lessons and she becomes more lovely as the children learn to love her.
One highlight of the film comes when the children have to capture some piglets that have escaped and with a rap of Nanny McPhee’s cane, these pigs put on quite a show. Another part I enjoyed was when Nanny McPhee takes the older boys to London (in a motorcycle with a sidecar, no less) to the war department so they can find out what has happened to Mr. Green, the children’s father. Be sure to watch the statues and for one of Nanny McPhee’s former wards.
The film does address some serious issues. The city children deal with the fact that their parents are divorcing and the farm children worry about their father fighting in the war. These tough issues are addressed very carefully and in a way even younger audiences will understand and appreciate.
I must confess a pet peeve of mine is British actors playing Americans and American actors playing Brits, however I liked Maggie Gyllenhall in this film as a Brit. The film is also almost as chock-ful of great British talent as a Harry Potter film including Maggie Smith, Ewan McGregor, Ralph Fiennes and more.
This is just a great film for people of all ages. I laughed, almost cried at the end (in a good way) and the entire family left the movie laughing and talking about all of our favorite parts. Of course, the younger set will love the flatulent cow and the belching crow. One more thing — if you saw the first Nanny McPhee film watch carefully for a nod to that first edition. I promise you will love it.
