After losing custody of his kids for, basically, being a big kid, Robin Williams goes undercover as a British nanny so he can remain a part of their lives. While he’s initially unprepared for the rigors of housekeeping, and the little ones almost immediately see through the disguise, he soon finds his rhythm and grows to become an indispensable resource for the family, not to mention a close confidant for his ex-wife. Although he often abuses that position (especially when the wife shows interest in a former flame), in general he’s a more active, responsible parent under the wig and cardigan than he ever was as a traditional father.

This is another weak, by-the-numbers Chris Columbus picture, elevated by a manic, largely-improvised performance from Williams. Credit the director for the liberty he grants in that respect, allowing his star to completely take over and alter the tone of several scenes, but man alive, the nuts and bolts of the film are completely inept and flavorless. That’s something I’ve noticed in most of Columbus’s efforts behind the camera: they just aren’t very well-made, with the best entries (_Home Alone_, for instance) succeeding in spite of his pervasive, amateurish tendencies. They all feel like big-budget Hallmark movies; broad, hammy and superficial. This is no exception. It’s just a quick-lipped Robin Williams dress-up show, nothing more.