Molly Singer (Tina Majorino) lost the will to speak after the death of her mother. Her father Manny (Ray Liotta) is helpless. He hires sassy nanny Corrina Washington (Whoopi Goldberg). She's educated and aspires to write for magazines. The interview doesn't go well but Molly seems to interact with her. Molly slowly opens up to Corrina. Manny is an atheist and so was his wife. Corrina comforts Molly by telling her that her mom is in heaven. His co-workers set him with Jenny Davis (Wendy Crewson) with her own two boys. Molly is being bullied at school and she doesn't want to go to school. It's the last 50s. Manny and Corrina develop a relationship and many people aren't happy about it.I do have a problem with Liotta and Goldberg pairing. Goldberg has never been the romantic type and I don't see her with any sexual chemistry. That makes the relationship problematic for a mainstream movie. There seems to be a few other general problems in this movie. Writer/director Jessie Nelson sets up a lot of stuff but they all seem to be left unresolved. She sets up the religious angle and nothing really happens. There is the racial angle but it never heats up to a point of danger. That doesn't accentuate the drama. It's almost as if the movie is more scared of the material than the audience. Tina Majorino is adorable. She keeps the heart in this story. This could have been a much better movie.

i was very surprised at the low rating for this film, however when you read the reviews there is very little negative comments. A little 4 year old girl/father lose their mother/wife in the sixties in America. the little girl is so traumatised by the loss of her mother that she becomes mute. the father is not sensitive enough to her emotional distress to be able to help her. Enter Whoopi Goldberg as a nanny who through emotional literacy and counselling skills/ or good mum skills whatever you want to call it is able to heal the girl. the other theme dealt with is the obvious issue of racism and cross cultural love: a beautiful little film, good acting well dealt withenjoywill

I've seen this movie countless times, and each time I see it, it still can bring a tear or two to my eye.Whoopie Goldberg and Ray Liota team up as the unlikely pair in this 1950's based piece about life, and the hardships that a death can bring.At the beginning of the film we meet Molly. A six year old who is attending her mother's funeral. From the beginning of the movie, she doesn't speak. Only, in loss of her mother. Her father Manny (Liota), deals with his wife's death, in his own way. It is necessary for him to eventually go back to work, so after several different failed interviews with potential nannies, Corrina Washington (Goldberg), not only walks into his house, but his life as well.Throughout the entire movie, you come to understand the inane instincts and emotions that humans have for one another, no matter the differences in life.I was most impressed with Wendy Crewson in the film. Someone, who's character is born for you to hate, she delivers it with perfection. I never liked her much as an actress for a long time, but recently I've come to appreciate her talents as an actress. You can see her shine in other movies, including, "To Gillian on her 37th Birthday" and "The Santa Clause".And, the best performance in my opinion is given by the little girl who plays Molly. You can see her in other movies, such as, "Napoleon Dynamite" and "Water World". She is a talent, even at such a young age, and she could have become so famous, if she had done more work earlier on, because of how talented she is.I recommend the movie to anyone who enjoys dramas with real humor in it, and 'back in the day' kind of stories. It's enjoyable and a delight. And, as a bonus, it's appropriate for all ages. So, don't feel embarrassed watching it with your kids, it's good and clean. :)

This is a very endearing and heartwarming movie, I readily feel that it captures the delicate issue of mixed race relations during the 1950's with the right amount of poignancy and humor. Whoopi Goldberg is a delight and the whole cast works very well together. The film's setting had an added impact to me as it was filmed in my old neighborhood in Long Beach, California where i grew up and even though i grew up in the seventies i could easily identify with the events and characters. I fully recommend this as a film for the whole family.