Perfect Nanny

Not bad, but a bit long-winded. And certainly not a Crime, but a serious Drama.

Watched this tense French language drama without knowing anything of the true story it was based on. Well, I looked up the story afterwards and I was glad not to have known. The tension is kept pretty taut, the nanny character managing to stay on the right side of believability, which is more ominous somehow than some cliched depiction of derangement. The parents of the two children ignore the warning signs out of self interest and convenience. You want to shake them from their complacency. A creeping dread prevails with each passing scene, a lot of it commonplace but just a touch (and sometimes more) out of kilter. Overall, it's worth 90 mins of your time.

Perfect Nanny is a good depiction of the distant relationships in our society. We can see a monster evolving gradually but the story subtly make an emphasis on the negligence of the parents. How they fail to understand the true warning signs and how they allow the boundaries to be breached. This sensitive premise was well narrated with the excellent performances by the cast. Karin Viard's performance was exceptional, a smile that's quickly turning to creepy grin, a stare that's too long and disturbing biting scenes draw a perfect image of the real horror that awaits. Visuals including the surroundings are perfectly fitting. Busy streets Myriam dissapears into may suggest her role in the chaos as well. Excellent special effects as well. Perfect Nanny is a perfect horror story that's both disturbing and alarming.

I have to admit, when I read thriller I thought this was going to be over the top ... but overall that is something the movie can not be accused of. Yes there is a characer who takes things to far. But even small things are served in small bites for us to chew - no pun intended.

The central performance is amazing - and while I am still struggling with that end ... it still elevates the movie for me. Of course that can go either way for the viewers. Which by the way if you say you are using spoilers, I'd hope you would actually talk about something than being vague about it - like an open review - again no pun intended.

This creeps up on you for sure and while you may not agree with certain decision the characters take ... you can understand them. Empathy can be a great thing ... sometimes it is "wasted" on the wrong person. But how could you know that, right? Really well done and slow moving (pace wise), this will not be everyones tea ... but those who will like it, will actually cherish it.

Whilst the acting is good the storyline isn't and really it's all rather pointless right up to the rather twisted ending. It's a story that's been told before and better in films like The Hand That Rocks The Cradle.

I can't recommend it I'm afraid.