Nanny McPhee (2005)

Director:

Kirk Jones

Writers:

Christianna Brand (books)
Emma Thompson (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 January 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

You'll Learn To Love Her. Warts And All.

Plot:

Emma Thompson stars as a governess who uses magic to rein in the behavior of seven ne'er-do-well children in her charge.

Plot Keywords:

Nanny | Children | Father | Magic | Widower

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Emma Thompson	...	Nanny McPhee
Colin Firth	...	Mr. Brown
Kelly Macdonald	...	Evangeline
Thomas Sangster	...	Simon Brown
Eliza Bennett	...	Tora Brown
Jennifer Rae Daykin	...	Lily Brown
Raphaël Coleman	...	Eric Brown
Samuel Honywood	...	Sebastian Brown
Holly Gibbs	...	Christianna Brown
Hebe Barnes	...	Baby Agatha Brown
Zinnia Barnes	...	Baby Agatha Brown
Angela Lansbury	...	Aunt Adelaide
Celia Imrie	...	Mrs. Quickly
Imelda Staunton	...	Mrs. Blatherwick
Elizabeth Berrington	...	Letitia

Also Known As:

Nanny McPhee (France)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild thematic elements, some rude humor and brief language.

Runtime:

97 min | Philippines:98 min

Country:

USA | UK | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

UK:U | Ireland:G | Australia:PG | Germany:o.Al. | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:AL | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:Atp | Portugal:M/6 | Malaysia:U | Sweden:Btl | Finland:K-7 | Iceland:L | Philippines:G | Canada:G (Ontario) | South Korea:All | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Make-up designer Peter King designed the final look of the main character at the first attempt - a rare occasion for makeup designers as they would design many make-ups before the selection.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Mrs. Blatherwick sits in the rocking chair in the kitchen, before the "mouse" races across the floor, in the first shot her left hand lies on her belly, with her right hand over her left, patting it gleefully. When it cuts to a close-up, her hands are in the opposite position.

Quotes:

Mr. Brown: I can't support my own family. I never have been able to. There are so many of you. But You're all so delicious. When Aggy came along and your mother was so ill, I said to her, "I think we will have to stop now, dear," and she said... She said, "I know."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Castle: Nanny McDead (#1.2)" (2009)

Truly Moving Picture

This film was specially shown on January 17, 2006 in Indianapolis. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Film Festival that screens films for their Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Heartland gave that award to this film.

There are seven rather naughty children who have creatively and gleefully drove away seventeen nannies who tried to tame them. But they have met their match with the hideous looking Nanny McPhee played by Emma Thompson. Thompson wrote the screenplay and with great make-up plays Nanny McPhee. Thompson is a consummate artist and is the only person ever to have won an Oscar for writing ("Sense and Sensibility") and also to have won an Oscar for acting ("Howard's End). Thompson brings class to this Victorian-era, dark, fractured fairy tale.

This is a laugh out loud farce. And young people and old can share in the humor. While the film is designed for kids, the adult accompanying the child will enjoy it almost as much.

There are positive messages, for parent and child, throughout the film. The seven children are taught to listen and to be courteous and to be responsible and to think through things for themselves, and you watch their behavior evolve. In the beginning, goodness looks ugly to the children. But as they learn what goodness truly is, it takes on a beautiful appearance.

FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.