Eloise At The Plaza (2003)

A precocious six year old girl (Sofia Vassilieva) lives at the Plaza hotel in New York City with her nanny (Julie Andrews) while her mother (Donna Feore) travels the world. Based on the Eloise series of books written by Kay Thompson (FUNNY FACE) with the drawings of Hilary Knight and directed by Kevin Lima. While the greatest appeal of ELOISE AT THE PLAZA is perhaps toward kids (the movie is a child's fantasy of running amok without reprisal), a few older curmudgeons might find her an annoying spoiled brat. The Disney film stays close to the charm of the books in both its look and attitude. Young Vassilieva makes for a delightful Eloise, one would have to be a sourpuss to get irritated with her shenanigans. It's nice to see Julie Andrews play another sort of nanny, quite different from her starchy Mary Poppins. This nanny is rather slovenly, unsure of herself and a pushover for Eloise. Also in the cast: Christine Baranski, Jeffrey Tambor and Debra Monk.