Nanny McPhee Returns
Nanny McPhee Returns bring back that stern but kind hearted governess with the startlingly bad dental work even by British standards. She left last time when she was wanted and not needed and here comes to stay when needed but not wanted by Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal issuing a spot on Brit accent) a weary shop keeper and farmer’s wife whose husband is off to war. At her wits end trying to keep a thatched roof over her unruly children Norman (Asa Butterfield), Megsie (Lil Woods) and Vincent (Oscar Steer) but lacking funds to even bring in the harvest much less take it to market, she’s suddenly saddled with a well healed and spoiled niece Celia (Rosie Taylor-Ritson) and nephew Cyril (Eros Vlahos) from London. Their privileged city airs manifest more bratty behaviour among the cousins which brings on the need for Nanny McPhee (Emma Thompson). As she disciplines the children Isabel has to deal with Mrs. Docherty (Maggie Smith) her absent minded shop assistant and brother in law Phil (Rhys Ifans) who has gambling debts and is constantly trying to sell off the family farm. Joining the cast in surprisingly small parts are Ralph Fiennes and Ewan McGregor (in a non speaking role). Nanny McPhee Returns still leaves us with burning Nanny McPhee questions. Where’s the ack story on why her complexion heals up with each lesson learned by her charges and why does she ugly up again before each new gig? Also specific to this film - how did she foster a terse relationship with a dyspeptic crow? Still, unlike many sequels this one has all of the original charm presented in a more entertaining film.