Uptown Girls (2003)
Director
Starring
Last On
13:35-15:20
Sun 7th Aug 2011 105m
Five
Synopsis
When spoilt rich girl Brittany Murphy loses her inheritance, she takes a job as nanny to precocious youngster Dakota Fanning in this predictable comedy from Remember the Titans director Boaz Yakin. A frothy tale of trust and responsibility, it buries the strong performances of its leads under a nauseating script and an embarrassing romantic subplot. Following stand-out turns in I Am Sam and the sci-fi series Taken, Fanning is remarkably sophisticated as an uptight eight-year-old, while the always quirky Murphy fits the bill perfectly as a dead rock star's immature daughter. Their clash of personalities makes for flashes of spirited humour, and Fanning in particular clearly relishes her bratty role. Had Yakin concentrated solely on this chalk-and-cheese duo, he might have saved his movie, but instead he destroys any potential charm by focusing too heavily on Murphy's obsessive relationship with an unconvincing rock singer (former Neighbours star Jesse Spencer). The end result is a painful mess that's so sugary and sentimental, it's likely to give viewers an upset stomach.