The Nanny Diaries (2007)

Recently grad Annie Braddock (Scarlett Johannson) is fearful of the life ahead of her. A double major in finance and anthropology, Annie isn't quite ready for the career path. When a job literally falls in her lap, Annie seizes the opportunity to observe people but then gets a whole lot more than she bargains for when she takes on caring for 4-year old Grayson.

Grayson is the son of an affluent, highly dysfunctional set of parents. Mr. X (Paul Giamatti) is the disassociated Wall Street father with dalliances on the side. Mrs. X (Laura Linney) is the Upper East Side, Type A, Wall Street wife who does nothing, but still can't seem to find time for Grayson. Enter Annie. The new nanny falls in love with her young charge. Concern for him becomes an obsession with his dysfunctional family and that leads to all sorts of trouble.

The Nanny Diaries is based on the best-selling book from co-authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicole Kraus who drew from their own experiences working with Manhattan's wealthiest families.{I didn't care for the book; never finished it}. Director Shari Springer Berman assembled a nice cast to deliver the goods.

Giamatti supports here, but he's ever successful as the sleazy creep of a husband. Laura Linney is stunning {much like in The Truman Show}. Johannson isn't as strong as I expected here, but still she manages a good, caring performance as Annie {and narrator}.

The film reads much like The Devil Wears Prada. Fans of the Merryl Streep/Ann Hathaway movie will enjoy this one. Annie gets caught up in a world that both frightens and dazzles her. It takes friends and an encounter with Mr. X to bring her back.

The Nanny Diaries is a light popcorn flick {with an uplifting message if you want to read into it}.