At one time or another, every child probably needs someone like the magical governess in Nanny McPhee, a first-rate family comedy starring Emma Thompson, who’s practically unrecognizable in the title role. Thompson’s Nanny McPhee looks quite creepy with her bulbous nose, snaggle-toothed mouth and wart-covered face. She’s also very serious -- not a bit cheery like Mary Poppins. Still, her weird appearance definitely gets attention from the unruly youngsters she agrees to supervise.  

Where Mr. Brown’s (Colin Firth) seven children are concerned, it’s a dirty job, but Nanny McPhee has to do it. These naughty siblings have already driven away 17 nannies with their horrible shenanigans. The last one almost went insane when she thought six of the brood had eaten the baby. Mrs. Blatherwick (Imelda Staunton), the cook, won’t even let the kiddies into her kitchen. She’s made Mr. Brown sign a contract to that effect. Evangeline (Kelly Macdonald), the scullery maid, who obviously has a crush on her employer,  seems to be the only one who likes the children. “But you’re paid to like us,” says Simon (Thomas Sangster), the oldest.

Poor Mr. Brown is at his wit’s end, so he can’t turn away Nanny McPhee -- despite her mysterious appearance. He reluctantly puts her in charge of the children, agreeing to the five simple lessons she plans to teach them. Still grieving over the death of his wife, Mr. Brown talks to her empty chair and worries that if things don’t improve Aunt Adelaide (Angela Lansbury) will stop her monthly payments. To make matters worse, Adelaide issues an ultimatum requiring him to marry by the end of the month. In desperation, the unhappy widower picks Selma Quickly (Celia Imrie), an obnoxious, self-absorbed woman the children can’t stand. Elaborate wedding preparations ensue.

THERE BE SPOILERS AHEAD.

A wedding ceremony does take place, but not the kind Selma expects. Thanks to Nanny McPhee’s advice and the children’s quick thinking, the nuptials turn into a slapstick circus and end with the triumph of true love. Food fights in movies always make me laugh a lot, and this one is a doozie! Even the usually elegant Lansbury (TV’s Murder She Wrote) gets hit in the face with gooey icing. To make up for such wanton mayhem, a gorgeous all-white wedding scene follows, filling the screen with snowy delight -- and, believe it or not, Nanny McPhee looks entirely different before she leaves for another assignment.    

I’m trying to figure out why I enjoyed this film so much. It puzzles me, mostly because I don’t like movies showcasing bratty children. Maybe watching how Nanny McPhee’s “five lessons” changed the youngsters’ nasty behavior (while helping their father understand the changes he should also make) won me over. Or maybe it was Colin Firth’s (Love Actually) winning comic performance as the perplexed dad. Or Kirk Jones’ (Waking Ned Devine) wonderfully off-beat direction; or those humorously garish sets, costumes and make-up tricks; or Emma Thompson’s clever adaptation of Christianna Brand’s “Nurse Matilda” stories. Hmm. Perhaps it’s simply Nanny McPhee using her special magic to hypnotize me.  

(Released by Universal and rated “PG” for mild thematic elements, some rude humor and brief language.)