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'Nanny McPhee': If only Mary had popped in

By HAP ERSTEIN
Palm Beach Post

Hiding behind lots of face putty, a couple of disgusting warts, a bulbous nose, a gleaming buck tooth and a fat suit is actress-screenwriter Emma Thompson, who has gotten herself mixed up in a trying-too-hard children's fable about a magical governess, Nanny McPhee.

Universal Pictures 'Nanny McPhee' C+ The verdict: Mary Poppins has nothing to worry about from this magical governess movie that tries way too hard to be charming. Director: Kirk Jones Starring: Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury, Kelly MacDonald, Thomas Sangster Run time: 98 minutes Release date: Jan. 27, 2006 Rating: PG for mild thematic elements, some rude humor and brief language. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime [an error occurred while processing this directive]

Desperate to teach tots lessons in civil behavior, this film gives itself the challenge of the seven naughty children of widower mortician Mr. Brown (Colin Firth), who have conspired to chase away 17 previous nannies. Enter the unflappable Ms. McPhee, whose tough-love child-rearing approach has little to do with a spoonful of sugar and all to do with reverse psychology and her bewitching, spark-spewing walking stick.

Based on Christianna Brand's Nurse Matilda kid's book series, one can see how the material might have had potential, if the cast were not pressing so much for laughs and if director Kirk Jones (Waking Ned Devine) had toned down the comedy and the soundtrack a few notches.

Still, the tots are aptly mischievous and adorable, and Thompson eventually emerges as lovely as ever from under her makeup.

Such stage pals as Derek Jacobi and Imelda Staunton seem to be having fun cavorting about, and, for reasons that remain unclear, this is the movie that Angela Lansbury chose to make her return to the screen, playing Brown's disapproving mother-in-law.

At least these classically trained actors get to get all down and dirty in a climactic food fight.