Emma Thompson Talks Nanny McPhee
Posted on February 1, 2006
Actress and Screenwriter Emma Thompson discusses the screenplay for her new film, Nanny McPhee. Nanny McPhee is no Mary Poppins: she's not sugary sweet or very kind. Thompson had to spend quite a bit of time in the makeup chair to become Nanny McPhee.
I think she would not necessarily approve of Mary Poppins," guesses Emma Thompson, who should know, having written "Nanny McPhee" and starred in the title role. "Nanny McPhee would think that getting large lamps out of carpet bags was a little bit show-offy. And helping children to tidy up their rooms by getting things to jump in the drawers would perhaps not be the thing that engendered most a sense of responsibility."Thompson also says nannies are secret spies in the U.S. She says, "Secretly, Britain is hoping to get America back by sending enough nannies in and slowly transmogrifying the culture. They're spies."*****
"There's a fascinating Chinese proverb: If you are in a situation where it is possible not to be kind, then to be kind is inappropriate. I find that very interesting. As a British woman, I've been brought up to be kind all the time, that kindness is of paramount importance." But it can actually hinder development, she says, which may be why the Brown children's recovery from naughtiness involves not an ounce of kindness.
She may be on to something because now that we think about it, we do seem to be full up on nannies lately: nanny tell-all books, nanny movies, nanny reality TV shows. We're not at all sure what this nanny obsession means for our culture; no doubt Dr. Phil is planning a show on it this very minute. Joy.