Nanny McPhee (2005)
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A mysterious nanny arrives to help a widower manage his seven unruly children in Victorian England.
The story
In Victorian England, Cedric Brown, a widower undertaker, struggles to manage his seven unruly children who have driven out seventeen previous nannies. The children are only respectful to their scullery maid, Evangeline. When Cedric finds references for a 'Nanny McPhee' and a mysterious woman appears during a storm, she takes up the role of nanny. The children initially try to trick her, but as they learn lessons and become more responsible, Nanny McPhee's physical appearance changes. However, the family faces a crisis when their wealthy aunt, Lady Adelaide Stitch, threatens to withdraw financial support unless Cedric remarries and they settle the household's chaotic situation.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In Victorian England, Cedric Brown, a widower undertaker, is the father of seven unruly children who have driven out seventeen nannies. During a storm, a mysterious woman named Nanny McPhee arrives. As the children learn lessons from her, her facial defects magically disappear. The family faces a crisis when their wealthy aunt, Lady Adelaide Stitch, threatens to cut off financial support unless Cedric remarries. Cedric first attempts to marry the unpleasant Mrs. Quickly, but the children sabotage the visit. Later, they realize their mistake and try to appease her, but she proves to be a villainous stepmother during the wedding ceremony. The children start a food fight, and Cedric realizes she is not right for them. When the deadline for marriage is nearly missed, the children reveal Evangeline is not their sister. Cedric and Evangeline realize their feelings and agree to marry. Nanny McPhee, now fully transformed, makes it snow in August, turning the wedding into a winter scene and changing Evangeline's clothes into a wedding dress. Nanny McPhee then leaves, having fulfilled her role.
- First release year
- 2005
- Runtime (minutes)
- 99
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States; France
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Kirk Jones
- Writers
- Emma Thompson · screenplay; Christianna Brand · story
- Cast and characters
- Emma Thompson · Nanny McPhee; Colin Firth · Cedric Brown; Kelly Macdonald · Evangeline; Derek Jacobi · Mr Wheen; Celia Imrie · Mrs Selma Quickly; Patrick Barlow · Mr Jowls; Imelda Staunton · Mrs Blatherwick; Thomas Sangster · Simon Brown; Angela Lansbury · Great-Aunt Lady Adelaide Stitch
- Genres
- comedy; drama; fantasy
- Themes
- Responsibility; Family; Growth
- Tone and mood
- Whimsical; Heartwarming
- Premise and plot tags
- Fantasy; Period Piece; Childcare
- Source material / true-story basis
- Nurse Matilda by Christianna Brand
- Franchise connections
- Nanny McPhee
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics and was grossing $123.3 million against a $25 million budget.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 74% · scale: approval rating · review count: 135; Metacritic · score: 59 · scale: out of 100 · review count: 30
- Production trivia
- The film features several actors who previously starred in Love Actually.; A stage musical based on the film is scheduled to open in 2027.; The film was shot at Pinewood Studios.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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