The Nanny Diaries (2007)- Film Review

A film about opportunity and finding your path, ‘The Nanny Diaries’ explores one Woman’s fear of finding the right job. With a strong performance by Scarlett Johansson, ‘The Nanny Diaries’ mixes in comedy and emotion in a tale of ‘unexpected opportunity’ and ‘fear of the unknown’.

Based on the novel (of the same name) by Emma Mclaughlin TND (Directed by Shari Springer Berman) explores a recent college graduates life looking for a job. As fate would have it for 21-Year Old Annie Braddock (played by Scarlett Johansson) an opportunity presets itself requiring her to work for Manhattans elite as a Nanny. But will Annie be able to juggle life on the outside as well as in? As she juggles looking after a difficult yet caring child (who only seeks his parents love, with their ‘distracting lives’). Will Annie be able to truly find what she wants, or will she be thrown into the drama of their dysfunctional happenings covered up by money and more money?

Having seen the movie before, I thought I’d revisit it as I saw it a few years ago. After watching the film this time round, I began to relate to it much more. Not only because I am a young adult (like Scarletts character), but also because of her plight in finding out what she really wants. It’s this notion of ‘happiness without money’ which certainly gives me food for thought. Considering we live in a world of consumerism, riches and material desires, flounding our every decision every where we go. Its when one has to truly think what they want and how they want to get there, do they then realise that its about what lies within you for you to fight/work for what you want and feel you need. Obviously I’m not talking about winning the lottery but rather seeking contentment through working hard and coming to terms with what you feel life should offer you (i.e change, freedom, joy etc.)

To conclude, I would say watch ‘The Nanny Diaries’ as a feel good film which teaches us about respect, life choices, opportunity and even finding your voice. Get ready to feel ‘inspired’ and ‘loved’ as you get drawn to Annie’s (played by Johansson) life as a Nannie where she juggles the ups and down of a childs happiness to their parents brief neglect for them.

Rating: 7.5/10

With it’s witty charm and tenderness ‘The Nanny Diaries’ gives us comedy, emotion and even joy with a story of opportunity, love and discovery.

See the official trailer [The Weinstein Company (2007b) The nanny diaries] here:

See the making of ‘The Nanny Diaries’ [The Weinstein Company (2007a) Making-of the nanny diaries] below:

Bibliography

1) GIPHY, http://www.portalnet.cl and Weinstein Company (no date) The nanny diaries GIF – find & share on GIPHY. Available at: http://giphy.com/gifs/the-nanny-diaries-tQW08DEqKkld6 (Accessed: 31 July 2016).

2) The Weinstein Company (2007a) Making-of the nanny diaries. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL0qmAbs9Ak (Accessed: 31 July 2016).

3) The Weinstein Company (2007b) The nanny diaries. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUGtHs2FLns (Accessed: 31 July 2016).

Love Forecast (2015)- Film Review

Love Forecast (2015)  is a South Korean romantic comedy film (available with english subtitles) directed and co-written by Park Jin-pyo (known for: Too Young to Die & You Are My Sunshine). The film focuses on a relationship between a young man and a woman, comparing their moods respectively to the weather.

The film in short centres around a 18 year friendship between two very different people. One is a very successful weather reporter who is adored by many, the other is an elementary school teacher who is deemed as ‘over sensitive’ and ‘too soft’. Both are completely crazy when they get together, whether thats drinking together or even teasing each other. Their friendship is a close knit one, which slowly begins to evolve into something else very quickly and rapidly, creating a dud in their friendship. Can they stay friends? Or will fate show them a different kind of love, one both did not expect to happen so surely.

With realistic situations, such as fallouts and tantrums Love Forecast shows us a relationship between two opposites set against a background of working life and gender expectations.

For anyone who’s a fan of light hearted rom coms with a very sensitive message, this film is certainly one which should be on your lists. Doused it sensitivity and some stunning chemistry between the lead pair themselves, it certainly has the right flow to it.

Without giving too much away, watch Love Forecast to laugh, cry and chuckle with joy. Feel every ounce of happiness and frustration from each character, let them take you on a journey in showing you there lives. With a very witty script and good comedic timing, Park Jin-pyo and Lee Byeong-heon certainly serve up a treat to their viewers in a rapid fashion (from each characters expression, to their short back story). Both screenwriters make sure that we as an audience invest in the main characters in a very effortless way, making sure we keep our eyes on the screen at every take.

See the official trailer below:

My Rating: 7.5/1o

With extremely raw and close knit characters, Love Forecast draws its viewers in with it’s main characters comedic timing and their ‘maturity’ as young adults. All meshed together with many ups and downs, whether thats some sticky situations or an overdue ‘wake up call’ from another. It manages to keep us tuned through the portrayal of many themes, such as: family, trust, opportunity and most importantly friendship (including the pitfalls of it). It’s a film which will surely make you appreciate your best friend more, making you both chuckle in unisons and some rather daft memories.

One drawback of the film however would have to be its runtime and 1h 58 minutes. Though seemingly not too long, one begins to feel a little exhausted by the end of the film after a rather short climax near the middle. Thus leaving a rather dazed feeling, as a story such as this one could have easily been made more snappier in about 1 hour 30 or even 40 (minutes). Overall Love Forecast certainly doesn’t disappoint as a romantic comedy film showcasing the pitfalls of friendship in accordance with the weather itself.

Bibliography:

1. CJ ENTERTAINMENT (2014) LOVE FORECAST – official Int’l main trailer. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA33xr7YgQs (Accessed: 25 July 2016).

      2. Drama Fever and CJ E&M (no date) Love Forecast (Poster) 2015 Korean Language Film-Lee Seung Gi Profile. Available at: https://www.dramafever.com/st/img/nowplay/4606_LoveForecast_Nowplay_Small_v3.jpg (Accessed: 25 July 2016).