Nanny McPhee Returns

Emma Thompson returns in all her frizzy-haired, buck-toothed, hairy-moled glory as the Nanny McPhee, the other magical nanny. She's no Mary Poppins with her frumpy appearance and scowl but just like her umbrella carrying predecessor, she holds the key to respectful children and family tranquility.

In this incarnation, it is at the heart of World War II and a mother (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has her hands full with her three children, the family farm, and a general store she shares with her batty employee (Maggie Smith). Her husband is away at war and her nephew and niece have been sent to join them to escape the bombings of London. Her very spoiled nephew and niece. The five children meet, instantly dislike each other and fighting ensues.

When they wreak havoc on her home and each other, her shop mistress fills twelve drawers with syrup, and her brother-in-law barrages her with bids to sell the farm, Nanny McPhee knocks on her door. And once again, with the magical tap of her cane, she teaches the children five valuable lessons including to stop fighting, to share, and to have faith.

This is a worthy successor to the first film. It is funny and sweet. In fact, both my mother and I cried more than once. My children loved the magic and it kept the interest of both including the three year old. So I would definitely rate this a "Step Out".

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