directed by Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini
This film seems to be quite forgotten, so it’s even better that I’m writing about it. I’m guessing that I saw Scarlett Johansson for the first time in this very production. Time flies… Anyway, I’ve recently decided to refresh my memory and see it again – and it’s terrifying how little has changed since 2007. In the story we meet Annie (Scarlett Johansson), a woman who has just finished her studies and, as every young adult, is trying to figure out what next. One day she meets a little boy named Grayer (Nicholas Art), whose mother Alexandra (Laura Linney) offers Annie a job. As she has no other option, Annie accepts the offer and become Grayer’s nanny. At first the woman believes that she’s just “joined” a lovely family, but the longer she works for them, the more differences she notices between their world and hers. This film is categorised as a comedy/drama, but to me it’s way more drama. Perhaps if you watch it for the sake of the plot and to relax your brain, you will simply have a pleasant time. But if you reflect on what’s presented in the story, the reality may hit you hard. When I was younger, I didn’t notice those dramatic elements that much, but now, as an older adult, I see many lessons being taught here. We obviously have Annie, who represents young people who are under horrible pressure from everywhere and everyone, so choosing their path is an awful challenge. We also have Alexandra, who’s a wealthy woman married to a total ignorant and who seems like she manages her life well but in fact she’s just going with the flow and makes sure not to express her confusion or any inner desires. And I have to say that this contrast between Annie and Alexandra gives quite a lot of food for thought about the position of women in the society. Or how women are perceived and what’s expected from them, no matter which social class they represent. However, the part that hits me most is presented by Grayer. Forgive my honesty, but according to me, children have become some sort of object that adults choose to own, yet they totally don’t think of any responsibilities that come with that. Everybody has a child – so will I. Who cares if I have time or any other capacity to actually raise them well? This is terrifying. Because having children shouldn’t be seen as a must or just a task to do in your adulthood to get a badge with “serious adult” on it. You don’t have to have a child, simple as that. And it’s nobody’s business what’s your reason. In fact, people who make a conscious decision not to have children because of [insert whatever reason] get my personal respect way faster than those who have 3 children and complain about the troubles of adulthood. As a person who is incredibly concerned about children’s well-being, this film hits me hard. I’m not saying that Alexandra is a bad person here, because if you analyse it, she really isn’t. I believe this film is generally about how lost adults are in being adults. That’s it. But at the same time, we have those little humans observing us and hoping we will show them the right way. So maybe it’s time to remember that. The film is not any masterpiece, but it’s quite timeless… and now I’m not sure whether it’s its advantage or disadvantage considering the presented topics… Judge yourselves.
My rating: 7/10
S.
I have nothing to watch 