In my movie research, I keep coming across various versions of Henry Miller's play, having seen probably 3 others within the past year (not including "The Innocents" from 1961). There have been prequels and versions that focused more on the children than the new nanny, and several set in different places than Miller's original. This is one of those, and it's actually the best I've seen outside of the 1961 Deborah Kerr classic.
Starring young Sadie Frost whose nanny is barely past adolescence herself, this also gives more screen time to the housekeeper, played with strength and mystery by Lauren Bacall, maybe not as vulnerable as others, but outside of knowing the darkness of the past, not a dark character. She's actually subservient to Frost, even though she has years of senority on her as housekeeper to Harvey Keitel.
He has left the running of the house to Bacall and his niece and nephew to Frost, chosing to travel and making promises to drop by which he does not keep. Obviously he wants no part in raising them, and that gives Frost the opportunity for damage control, threatening her sanity as she deals with evil spirits still roaming around. The beautiful grounds are a sight to behold but the ghosts are definitely sinister which adds beauty and tension. A better structure for this version and strong performances by two very different actresses makes for a better film overall.
Starring young Sadie Frost whose nanny is barely past adolescence herself, this also gives more screen time to the housekeeper, played with strength and mystery by Lauren Bacall, maybe not as vulnerable as others, but outside of knowing the darkness of the past, not a dark character. She's actually subservient to Frost, even though she has years of senority on her as housekeeper to Harvey Keitel.
He has left the running of the house to Bacall and his niece and nephew to Frost, chosing to travel and making promises to drop by which he does not keep. Obviously he wants no part in raising them, and that gives Frost the opportunity for damage control, threatening her sanity as she deals with evil spirits still roaming around. The beautiful grounds are a sight to behold but the ghosts are definitely sinister which adds beauty and tension. A better structure for this version and strong performances by two very different actresses makes for a better film overall.