When I think Nanny McPhee I think of a refined version of the Mary Poppins formula. Children who misbehave too badly for conventional nannies to deal with are taught by a stern, female, magician who uses her magic powers to induce delight and wonder as well as to teach. Where I felt Mary Poppins went wrong is by having the ultimate arc be Mr Banks’. Sure, he was stubborn, stuck up and in many ways looked down on his children but it felt like the ultimate resolution was him having a mental breakdown. Nanny McPhee focuses more on the children learning, all whilst incorporating some kind of mischief that’s afoot.
Based on the
Nurse Matilda books, Nanny McPhee and its sequel, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang
have both enjoyed moderate critical and commercial success. So why did it end
at 2? It had the higher budget and made less money. But the question is, does
that mean it’s worse than the original. Well, I’ll be judging on 6 categories
