By Chris Sabga
While I certainly didn't hate The Nanny Diaries, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it to anyone either.
Scarlett Johansson is probably the only truly likeable character, and she does well with what she's given, but I still can't help but think that Anne Hathaway would've been better suited for this role. If you're a fan of Scarlett's beauty, find another movie. She has purposely been made to look VERY dumpy here - because, I suppose, it isn't realistic for a working class nanny to look like a runway model.
Laura Linney probably delivers the best performance overall (no surprise there), but you will want to strangle her for 95 percent of the movie. It's hard to say whether Linney overdoes it, because she does play the character faithfully to the book version.
Chris Evans (of Fantastic 4 fame) does his best with what he has, but even he comes across as a snobby, impatient prick at time. Those moments derail what should have been the warmest character in the movie.
Alica Keys just needs to disappear. This character wasn't in the book, and she adds nothing to the movie. I'm not sure whether it's the character or the actor (or both), but I just wanted to slap her silly any time she appeared. Scarlett's character had no plausible reason to remain friends with someone this shallow and bitchy.
Donna Murphy, as Nanny's mother, is also very flat. Aside from one scene, there's almost nothing here that would make you like her. In fact, that's the problem with the majority of this movie. Until the end, all of the characters are extremely one-dimensional and one-note.
And then there's Paul Giamatti. If you're waiting for me to heap praise on him, keep waiting. He's undoubtedly a great actor, but he's badly miscast in this movie. Sure, he pulls off being a creep without any redeeming value - but as a ladies' man and lady killer, I can't think of a more implausible choice. There is no reason Laura Linney - or any other woman in the movie - would be so madly in love with this guy. Giamatti pulled off the romantic leading man (sort of) in Sideways - but it just doesn't work here.
The Nanny Diaries isn't a total train-wreck - there are some fun and endearing aspects - but it's a mixed bag overall.
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