Nanny McPhee is an excellent movie… if you're a seven-year old girl. That's less a negative evaluation than it is a statement of fact. This isn't a "family film;" it's a "children's film." What's more, it's for girls who are old enough to understand the basics of reading and writing, but not old enough to be interested in boys. That's a small target audience for a motion picture, but if you have a child that fits the above description, you could find a worse way to entertain them than Nanny McPhee. Just don't expect to get the same level of enjoyment out of the experience as your offspring. Despite the superb cast, comprised of A-level British actors, the script offers nothing remotely adult. It's a straightforward fairy tale, told without a hint of guile or cynicism. And there are none of the oh-so-popular elements that go over the head of the youngsters to score points with older viewers. Nanny McPhee is sweet and endearing, but it's neither smart nor witty. And it is predictable to a fault. 15 minutes into the movie, not only will you guess the ending, but you will recognize every step that leads to the ending. Watching Nanny McPhee for the first time is like watching many other movies for the second time.
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