Movie Review: Nanny McPhee (2006)
Review by Nancy Agosto
FamilyCorner Gives It: 
Audience: 6 and up
MPAA Rating: PG: Mild Thematic Elements, Some Rude Humor and Brief language
Profanity: None, Just some "potty talk"
Nudity/Sex: None, Some scenes contained implied sexuality (i.e. Father falls and lands on top of fiancée)
Alcohol/Drugs: None
Violence/Scariness: None
Diversity Issues: Family and Love and how to work together
Release Date: January 27, 2006
A recently widowed Mr. Brown (Colin Firth) has the task of finding a nanny to take care of his seven mischievous (that's putting it mildly) children. After scaring away seventeen nannies, the agency gives up on the whole Brown family and this is where he hears the whisper "The person you need is Nanny McPhee". Will this nanny be able to handle the children while he tries to find a new wife upon Great Aunt Adelaide (Angela Lansbury) stipulation for continuing their allowances?
 The only person who the children believe likes them is Evangeline (Kelly Macdonald), a maid, and their only confidant but even she is "paid to like them". Simon, (Thomas Sangster), the oldest child, is the ring leader and later explains how all fathers become mean when they loose their wife, as he remembers how doting the father was while the mother was alive. The children have researched the subject of stepmothers whom they've based on fairy tale collections and they are determined not to have one.
Nanny McPhee tries to mend this family and its broken hearts with the help of a little magic, as well as her five lessons. Although convinced the homely nanny is a witch, the children soon learn that they can count on her, but most importantly on each other as they learn that all their actions have consequences. They learn how to think of others, as is the case when Evangeline is sent away with Great Aunt Adelaide, who she thinks is one of the Brown unruly daughters so she can become an educated lady like the one in the books they are teaching her to read. Mr. Brown does find a stepmother for them and the children must band together to stop this union that in trying to destroy what they have created.
Will they succeed in this fairytale drama? Will they be cursed with a wicked stepmother or will a fairy princess appear to save the day?
 Nanny McPhee is based on the 1960's book series Nurse Matilda written by Christianna Brand. The screenplay was written by Emma Thompson who stars as Nanny McPhee.
FamilyCorner comments: A very good movie and entirely kid friendly. Younger children might get a little antsy during the latter part, but the giggles from the children's pranks as well as the donkey in full make up and hat are worth it. You might want to bring a tissue, because by the time Nanny McPhee says "When you need me, but do not want me, then I will stay. When you want me, but do not need me, then I have to go." you'll need it.
We give this fun family friendly film 4 out of 5 stars.
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To find out more about this film, visit the official Nanny McPhee website. You can view the movie preview here and look at photos here.
On the site you will find tons of fun for the kids, including these free downloads:
painting your own ecards
screensavers
AIM icons
desktop wallpapers
More fun for the kids include:
Trivia Quiz: In the movie, Nanny McPhee has five rules that all children must obey. These rules are straightforward and could apply to children anywhere, but what about the rules and customs that apply in other parts of the world that are not so usual? This multiple-choice quiz tests your skill at finding the one correct rule or custom out of several made-up ones. But beware, most of the time, the truth can be much stranger than fiction.
Dress the Animals Game: In the movie, the animals are dressed up to look like the children. Now you can dress a variety of barnyard animals in a wildly insane assortment of costumes. Mix and match clothes, hairstyles and accessories from such diverse costumes as a punk rocker, a ballerina, a bishop, a princess, an astronaut...and many more. You can then save the final image you have created and email it to a friend in the form of a funny Nanny McPhee postcard.
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Reviewed by FamilyCorner member Nancy Agosto
Nurse Matilda
 Mr. and Mrs. Brown were forever having trouble with their numerous and incredibly naughty children . . . until the day Nurse Matilda entered their lives. First published nearly fifty years ago, Nurse Matilda and its two companion books-Nurse Matilda Goes to Town and Nurse Matilda Goes to Hospital-have charmed readers ever since. Now the inspiration for the major motion picture Nanny McPhee, all three beloved books are available once again in a deluxe hardcover edition which features the three complete and unabridged books by Christianna Brand, along with Edward Ardizzone's charming black-and-white illustrations.
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