The Nanny Diaries surprised me.

I went into this screening not expecting much. After all, it looked like your run-of-the-mill chick flick. Sure, Scarlett Johansson is easy on the eyes, but come on - The Nanny Diaries? 
Yet when the movie ended, I abruptly found myself saying out loud, “Wow, that was a great movie!”

And it was. This movie has much more to offer than your typical chick flick.

For starters, it was done with a lot more creativity. As an example, the story was presented like an anthropology presentation.

Anthropology presentation? That’s interesting and creative?

When you see how it works in the movie, you’ll get it.

The camera work also had a unique flair to it, which made it fun to watch. The directors, Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, have a unique knack for story-telling. Both their camera work and editing keep the film moving.

And not only does the film move, but it’s moving. The story has a lot of heart that keeps your attention and connects you to the story.

Scarlett Johansson plays Annie Braddock, a college graduate looking not only for a job, but direction in life, who ends up becoming a nanny by pure chance. I liked Johansson’s performance here. In fact, as a 20-something dealing with the aspect of finding yourself and careers, I could completely relate to her character. Now, not everyone is a 20-something with questions on their mind constantly about the issues of career and future, but a lot of people know someone that is.

Laura Linney plays Mrs. X. No, her last name isn’t X – it’s just another creative way of presenting the characters. What works in her performance is that she doesn’t play her as the one-dimensional, soulless dragon lady. There’s depth to her character that makes her own story intriguing as well.

Chris Evans, known to most from the Fantastic Four movies, plays the love interest. Like a lot of women in most mainstream Hollywood movies, Evans is pretty much treated as eye candy. I found that to be an interesting reversal that has happened before in movies, but is usually the exception as opposed to the rule.

Finally, Paul Giamatti plays Mr. X in the film. The way his character is visually introduced, and then revealed, is another stroke of genius. Giamatti plays a bit of a stereotype here, but it works for the story.

For all of you guys who picked the last movie and saw The Bourne Ultimatum or Superbad, and now it’s her turn, don’t fret. Take her to see The Nanny Diaries - it might surprise you, too.