Learning to Love

The theme of a single father hiring a nanny, this time a teacher, who, eventually, brings love to or heals the entire family, despite attempts at rejecting her, has been presented in many shades and flavors over the years. This production comes with a different twist in the children's attitude and deeper faith undertones. The theme has been previously developed with more depth and richer emotions in "The nanny express" with Vanessa Marcil, in 2008. Yet, this entrance offers an acceptable plot and provides reasonable, family friendly, entertainment. On the minus side, the acting, particularly by Philip Boyd, appears somewhat stiff, the conflicts a bit shallow, and the romantic interest between the two leads is poorly explained. On the plus side, the main character, Steph, is a very likeable, solar personality, well played by Ina Barron. When it comes to the overt religious expressions and content, I admit I do not find them necessary, probably because I am definitely agnostic. Yet, I do not understand, why, in this and other movies, they cause so much resentment in some of the reviewers. I wonder if those are the same viewers who adore the spirituality and culture presented in movies that deal with Native American, oriental or other exotic traditions. Why are these not as irritating or objectionable?

Whatever creed or faith brings people to love, respect and mutual understanding may not need to be embraced, yet it should not detract from appreciating the outcomes.

In summary, though a weaker rendition of a tried story, this movie has nothing offensive, it has some merits of its own, and it is worth a look.