garyscmh Argh, what a beautiful little film! I'm still melting a little inside a day after stumbling across this offering on Netflix. If you are a fan of smaller, art-house type of films where characters are brought to the fore, you will definitely love this sweet little story. Nothing much happens, except that everything happens. A brilliant-but- isolated twelve year-old on the cusp of puberty discovers a soul mate of sorts in his temporary, harried and somewhat "messy" new nanny. The story is seen through Eleanor's (the Nanny) eyes, but Justin Shatkin as the young prodigy is the find of the decade. I've no idea who this young actor is (this seems to be one of his first films), but I cannot wait to see this kid grow up and into new roles! This role is ripe enough: the memorization alone would fell most young actors let alone the depth of maturity required to pull this off, but he has truly seemed to crawl deep into the skin of this character and he masters all of the subtle emotion this film calls for. The film is not without its flaws. The latter third could use a slight rewrite and/or rethink. But it is a gem of a little film and well worth the two hour investment. See it!

passionpianist I was drawn to this movie, I knew I would like it. And I absolutely love it, just finished watching it. Incredible acting, very natural, they all did a perfect job. I am a 44 year old female and this movie is now my favorite of all time. Independent films match my mood, this film had that feel to it with a somberness, I felt right at home. Thank you FRANK WHALEY for creating a beautiful movie story. Anyone that is into heartfelt, somber, life story, interesting turn of events will like this movie. The characters are honest, open and natural. One can connect and bond to Reggie and Eleanor's nanny turned friendship between the two. I bonded to the characters and their visions and own personal character.

Alanrad I came across this movie and my expectations were low. How good is a movie I've never heard of and that grossed $24 000? But I enjoyed it so much I gave it 9/10. It was intelligent and sparse. It was unusual and stylish. It was beautifully shot. Make no mistake - this is not a babysitter movie. It's a relationship movie. Featuring only two main characters and a few others to cement the different lives of our two key players, the understated tale of two such different cultures coming together was exceptionally interesting. The pace gives us sufficient time to enjoy some of the subtleties of this unusual relationship. There was a stretch in the way the boy character changed so suddenly, but it moved the story along. The music score was also very emotional. Make an effort to see this.

DavidMovieReview Julian Shatkin did quite well playing a preteen savant named Reggie, considering his age, but writer/director, Frank Whaley, let him down. The role would have been more believable had Whaley given him a wider emotional range (and, in my view, it's the director's job to coax the writer into writing each character equally well - funny that the director did not have that conversation with himself as the writer!). From the start of the movie, the boy's isolation is palpable as his mother plans to leave him on travels. (Debra Messing plays her well, but the part is limited and is only consequential in that it shows how emotionally deprived Reggie was.) He "snaps" at his friend at one point, as he put it, but compared to the frustrations of dealing with adults and children who rarely understand him or his choices, there was not enough emotion, particularly not enough anger. I feel his character loses a certain amount of aliveness because of it.In great contrast, Whaley was able to figure out Eleanor's (the nanny's) emotions, and Leighton Meester was in turn able to play those emotions brilliantly.After the movie ended, I attempted to flash back to moments where Leighton had not played her role authentically, and could not find any such moment. That's how great her acting is. The fierceness of her initial confrontation with her boyfriend was placed into context by our understanding of her family that followed. A beautiful young woman emerges from the initial mess, and we quickly find that she possesses advanced maternal instincts toward Reggie, supporting him exactly as he is, with all his awkward brilliance, even as he bends her to his wishes along the way. Her character is no pushover and she has her own plans, caring for her own soul as well.Overall, the film is well worth watching, as it will move you, and you may even understand what children need a bit better. They need love. Leighton Meester clearly has that love in her, and her performance is a credit both to her and to Whaley. Yes, both actress and writer/director got Eleanor exactly right.