Along Came a Nanny

'Along Came a Nanny' (2014)

Opening thoughts: Personally have no bias against the Hallmark murder/crime mysteries, as there are some decent ones out there (whether part of their numerous mystery series or not). Cameron Mathison is nearly always watchable and more, even in the films of his that are not good. Likewise with Sarah Lancaster. Hallmark's Movies and Mysteries block has always varied every year and expectations actually weren't high for 'Along Came a Nanny', which did sound really far fetched.

My low expectations were not only met with the execution 'Along Came a Nanny' but it managed to be worse than expected. Even Mathison can't save this. 2014 did see some good Hallmark films like 'A Ring By Spring', but also some real stinkers. Of which 'Along Came a Nanny' is one of them and one of the worst of them. There are also some good Hallmark Movies and Mysteries films, though more the films with more serious themes and family dilemmas than the crime mystery ones, but 'Along Came a Nanny' again is among the worst.

Goos things: By all means it is not completely disposable. The scenery is quite nice.

Lancaster also does her best, her role is sketchy but she does bring some charm and authority to it and looks comfortable at least.

Bad things: Unfortunately, so much works against 'Along Came a Nanny'. Pretty much wasted by some really chaotic and self-indulgent camera work and drab lighting. The usually very watchable Matthison looks ill at ease and his performance is lifeless as a character whose behaviour is truly inept and clueless throughout. He and Lancaster, which has been good in other films of theirs, is completely bland and found their initial scenes forced. The rest of the performances are a mix of ham overdose and mailing it in in silly stereotypical roles. The direction is unfocused and lacks energy.

Really disliked all the characters, ones with no personality, very vague at best motivations and who behave so outrageously. Especially the responsible. Furthermore, the script is both mundane and contrived, with everything feeling flat and unnatural. The cheese is also too much. The premise is very far fetched and beyond stupid to begin with and the story is wildly implausible and silly with no energy or tension. As well as dully paced and padded out, with some events jumping around. The ending is insultingly ridiculous and the music is intrusive.

Closing thoughts: Overall, very bad.

3/10.

As Hallmark movies go, this one is very good indeed. Detective goes undercover as a nanny for a sunburn family in in order to crack a case. It has lots of twists and turns and it is a sure bet you will recognize half the cast from other tv shows you have seen. I recommend it highly James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 2/18/2021

I love Hallmark movies and mysteries. They are simple to watch and enjoyable.

I sat down last night with my family to watch "Along Came a Nanny" and all we could stand was the first half hour.

The music in the background was louder than the speaking voices. I have two different TV sets and I tried them out on both. Both were the same with that loud banging, "bing-bong" type music that is totally distracting and annoying. There should be no music while the actors are generally speaking, except during a climatic scene. This was not the case. That "bam-bam" music never stopped.

My family and I just turned the channel and that was that. Why ruin a good movie with irritating music, especially during a mystery? One has to concentrate on every word, not have to try and block out the disrupting music to hear every word. Bad job, Hallmark, on this one.

7/10 - entertaining mystery that plays like a classic Hallmark flick

I confess I had to look twice when I saw that Detective Mike Logan was going undercover as a nanny. I couldn't imagine Chris Noth from the Law And Order franchise doing this after he picked up his pension from the NYPD. However it was Canadian actor Cameron Matthison being an undercover nanny in this Hallmark Mystery film.

In the upscale neighborhood of Poplar Point there has been a rash of burglaries. Since this is a rich community Matthison gets the assignment to track down and apprehend those responsible and there are several though only one does the actual burglaries.

Matthison decides an unusual approach. He gets hired through an employment agency as an nanny and after a fashion proves adept at the job. He also gets a little romance going with Sarah Lancaster.

Typical Hallmark product, but I have to say the motive for all the burglaries is an unusual and original one for these films.

Worth seeing for that alone.