Extremely Missable: The Nanny Diaries

The Nanny Diaries
Directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini
Released August 24, 2007

This is not necessary one of those films where all the funny parts are in the previews, but rather a film where the entire movie is in the preview. From start to finish, it is a predictable yarn with no spark or surprises. The unusual gimmick here is a Museum of Natural History-style setup of displays for New York City behavior, based off of the title character's interest in anthropology. It is interesting for a bit, but gets a bit tired by film's end. There is nothing really to say about Scarlett Johansson's lead performance other than that it is by no means her best. The same is true of Laura Linney, who never quite seems too evil until the film's latter half, when she suddenly starts becoming truly mean and manipulative, and Paul Giammati, in a bizarre role as an unreliable, unavailable, and unfaithful husband. The kid here, Nicolas Reese Art, is about the only commendable thing about this film. Think of it as a less entertaining version of "The Devil Wears Prada" (which I hated). The most intriguing thing about this film is how anyone convinced Boston area native Chris Evans (the so-called "Harvard Hottie") to wear a Yankees hat.

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