The Nanny Diaries is an interesting film that doesn't overstay its welcome, nor require that much from its audience. In many ways it can be likened to last year's surprise The Devil Wears Prada. Both tales tell the story of a fresh-faced young woman seeking to find herself following graduation. In Prada's case it featured Anne Hathaway seeking a career in journalism and finding a job as an assistant at a magazine. It was definitely an entry point, but not exactly what she was looking for. In the case of Diaries, Scarlett Johansson interviews for a job with a business degree, but realizing she doesn't know what she wants, tumbles headlong into a nanny gig.
While the two follow similar paths with their young stars and the combative relationship between them and their bosses, the difference lies in the tone. Prada proved to be a delightfully subversive gem whereby Hathaway is changed and molded into what her boss is looking for. The Nanny Diaries is a bit more sweet-natured in its approach to its lead, and perhaps even a bit more compassionate toward the boss. That does not make it a better film, as the end result is moderately entertaining, but ultimately a little bland and flavorless, especially coming on the heels of the Kool-Aid drinking of The Devil Wears Prada. Okay, I can practically see you rolling your eyes: "What's with all the Prada talk?" I promise to move away from that. I can't help seeing the similarities, which led to a nagging familiarity as I sat there in the theater.
Annie Braddock (Johansson) has just graduated college. She has a degree in business with a minor in anthropology, and if you couldn't guess, her love lies with the minor while the major seems to be more for appeasing her mother. The problem is that she quickly discovers she does not know who she really is or what she wants to do. This is revealed during her very first job interview where she is unable to answer: "Who is Annie Braddock? In your own words."
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Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
Scarlet's in it, I'll see it. Yeah, it's that simple.
2 - Phillip Winn
And yeah, I'm that shallow.
3 - Chris Beaumont
I got you beat. I paid to see Honey.
It's not a bad movie, just could have been better.
4 - Phillip Winn
Yeah, that is sad. You win. Or lose. :-)
5 - Chris Beaumont
I own the DVD, too. Does that help?