Nanny McPhee lacks the charm of Mary Poppins

What is it with the English and their nannies? Here we have Ms McPhee turning up in the unruly lives of Mr Brown and his brood to nanny them into order, with lots of TLC and magic.

Nanny McPhee

Director: Kirk Jones

Cast: Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Celia Imrie, Imelda Staunton, Angela Lansbury

Cert: G

What is it with the English and their nannies?

Here we have Ms McPhee (Thompson) turning up in the unruly lives of Mr Brown (Firth) and his brood to nanny them into order, with lots of TLC and magic.

There also has to be a slightly dotty Great Aunt (Lansbury) issuing ultimations: Mr Brown has to get married within a couple of weeks or else she'll stop funding the family.

The film is aimed squarely at the kiddies but, alas, it lacks the charm of MP, though Thompson, who wrote the screenplay, does enter into the spirit of the piece with gusto.

Star Rating: 2/5