Interpol embraces nature through 'A Love to Admire'

by Heather Daniel

                                                                

For all those ladies out there who love girly movies, be warned, “Nanny Diaries” is not what it seems.

The book-turned-movie is a failed attempt at a “chick flick.” It is about college grad student Annie Braddock (Scarlett Johansson) trying to find her niche in life. By accident, she acquires a nanny job for The Xs an upper East Side family living in a foreign world compared to Braddock’s New Jersey upbringing.

Mrs. X (Laura Linney) is a horrible woman and acts as if her son Grayer (Nicholas Reese Art) is an accessory instead of her child. Grayer is a typical bratty child who has been raised by one too many nannies, but soon you grow to love him and wish him well.

Mr. X (Paul Giamatti) is a horrible father and husband among other things. This family is very messed up, and Braddock soon discovers that she got herself into a world of mess and at the constant beck and call of her employers.

The movie takes a lighter turn when a man called “Harvard Hottie” (Chris Evans) comes into Braddock’s life and helps her realize that she may be more obsessed with her job than she realizes. Judy Braddock (played by Donna Murphy), did a great job of supporting Braddock through her crazy time. Lynette (Alicia Keys) is Braddock’s best friend and played an insignificant role, except just for more entertainment.

This movie, though funny at times, is an all-around bad attempt at making a book in to top box office. Throughout the whole story, it seems as if the directors are reaching for plots. You just want to stand up and scream, “enough is enough.” Though the costumes of the “rich” people were well selected, Johansson’s outfits were hideous. No one said that just because you are a nanny you have to dress ugly.

Giamatti really put some effort into his character, and it helped the movie float. He was such a horrible person that you were rooting for his character to get what was coming to him. Nicholas Resse Art who played Grayer X was so cute and so perfect for this role. He really made you feel sorry for him, and I just wanted to go hug him.

Braddock and Mrs. X’s characters were quite annoying. Whether it was because they seemed so blind to their problems or they were just annoying is uncertain to me. I could not decide.

This movie did not completely flop, but it definitely could have been a lot better than it was. During the whole movie, I just wanted to say “Duh, it is right in front of your face,” or “what are you doing?”

I would suggest to all of you who enjoy chick flicks to hold off on seeing this movie until you can get it on video.  I would give this movie two teddy bears out of nine.