Nanny McPhee (2005)

This was nearly a good film.  All of the elements were there for a charming tale, but somehow the whole slightly misfired.  Widower Colin Firth has seven adorable but horrible kiddies who have sent every nanny fleeing in terror.  Onto the scene comes Emma Thompson (who also wrote the screenplay) as the hideous but magical eponymous nanny.  As she gradually reforms her charges, her ugliness -- literally warts and all -- begins to disappear; and when she knows that she is no longer needed, so does she.  So far, so good, but an embarrassing role for Angela Lansbury as great-aunt Moneybags in a stupid false nose, and some screechy parts for Imelda Staunton as the ex-army cook and Celia Imrie as a proposed bride for Firth detract horribly.  The scene where the kids try to scare off Imrie with worms and toads and various booby traps, causing Firth to fall all over her in perceived amorous mode is just not funny.  Still, the nice bright colours, a sweet performance from Kelly MacDonald as the gentrified scullery maid, and the on-balance appeal of the children all help to make this a pleasant family film -- just not a great one.