Never mind the fact that her kids sass her, scuffle and screech while her husband fights in World War II. Izzy, who occasionally screeches herself, proclaims that they're just fine, thank you. And when her wealthy niece and nephew from London, Celia and Cyril, join the family on their farm for, seemingly, the express purpose of terrorizing their much less refined country cousins, Izzy still insists that she and her charges are just dandy.
Beyond the household squabbling, the Greens are in jeopardy of losing both their harvest and the family farm if they can't make a tractor payment. Izzy's sniveling brother-in-law, Phil, owns half of the estate and desperately needs to sell it to pay off his gambling debt. So when he isn't trying to sabotage the Greens, he's pressuring Izzy to sign away the deed.
It's all under control, Izzy would have you know.
Luckily, the mysterious--and hideously ugly--Nanny McPhee blows back onto the screen to have another go. And she sees everything as it really is: The children are out of control, Mrs. Green needs help, and Phil is a petty crook. She gets right to work.
Positive Elements
Though her methods are beyond any parent's natural abilities, Nanny McPhee serves as a point of inspiration for families as she teaches her charges discipline, respect, tidiness and manners. And despite their rocky start, the children come to appreciate, sacrifice for and love one another. They also learn teamwork, with Megsie and the gang even risking their lives to defuse an enemy bomb that falls into their barley field. Celia apologizes for destroying Izzy's wedding dress. Cyril and his military officer father grow (slightly) closer, each coming to respect and appreciate the other more.
Izzy gently tolerates a dotty older woman who works in her shop and causes multiple messes. She also graciously accepts Celia's apology for the dress.
Spiritual Content
Mary Poppins has her parrot head. Nanny McPhee has her knotty walking stick. It's the source of all disciplinary magic--and whenever she bangs it on the ground, sparks fly and situations change dramatically. Exotic animals appear, pigs fly and children instantly obey adults' commands. Inanimate objects such as boots, drawers, pots and trees speak and move to announce the nanny's imminent arrival.
The source of her power is never explained. In fact, it's called "classified."
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SOURCE: Plugged In
Meredith Whitmore
