In the cinema: Nanny Diaries
At Annie Grayer is allowed to snack on the forbidden
Something down-to-earth should be learned by Annie Braddock (Scarlett Johansson). A job in the bank introduces her mother, who lives in a workers' settlement in New Jersey. Your daughter should have it better once. But the job interview in New York puts the newly-born college graduate to shame. How should it continue? As fate would have it, in the Central Park you run your new job straight into your arms - in the shape of a five-year-old, who she saves from clashing with a cyclist. She is immediately hired by his high-society mum, the eccentric Mrs. X. Annie becomes Nanny. A perfect break to realize what she really wants. Without her mother knowing, Annie moves in with her new host family on Park Avenue.
In the cinema: Nanny Diaries
Peanut butter instead of French lessons
Fun is also prohibited at the children's birthday party
But what initially looks like easy money turns out to be a horror trip. While Annie becomes the spare mum of warped Grayer (Nicholas Reese Art) and barely has a private life, Mrs. X is busy jumping between charity meetings, dinner parties, and shopping while still maintaining her messed-up marriage. But husband Mr. X (Paul Giamatti) meanwhile enjoys having his assistant instead of looking after the family. Because she does not strictly adhere to his mother's educational methods (probiotic diet, French lessons, and museum visits), Annie gradually gains the heart of Grayer thanks to peanut butter and marmalade. And the handsome neighbor Hayden (Chris Evans), aka Harvard Hottie, has done it to her. However, Mrs. X is far from enthusiastic and installs a Nannycam - which not only fatalizes Annie.
Criticism of the rich upper class
Mrs. X has her nanny under control
The intent of "Nanny Diaries", based on the eponymous bestseller, is clear: criticism of the snobby upper classes on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Rich mothers who prefer to take care of parties and fun rather than their children and exploit the poor girls as full-time replacement moms.
Scarlett Johansson plays the role of modern Mary Poppins, who challenges the seemingly happy and luxurious life of family X and finds herself. After serious films like "Lost In Translation" or "The Girl With The Pearl Earring", Johansson shows an unusually funny side. Nevertheless, apart from the comic and nerve-wracking scenes, it is above all the touching and familiar moments between Annie and Grayer that make the film endearing. Grandios also Laura Linney as a narcissistic control freak, which is more important to preserve the appearance than to care for the welfare of their family. Even Nicolas Art is Grayer as a really unsympathetic villain from, but in the end you just have to close in the heart. Even soul singer Alicia Keys in the supporting role as Annie's girlfriend and eye candy Chris Evans as Harvard Hottie do well. It is a pity that there is little to see of Paul Giamatti.
Conclusion: Nanny Diaries is a mix of nanny story, romantic comedy and ehedrama on an entertaining level.
