Movie Review: Nancy Drews

Who is that teenager wearing penny loafers and plaids? Is it Doris Day? Is it Tuesday Weld? Could it be Sandra Dee? Why no, it's that teenage sleuth of a girl whose run you thought (if you are old enough) was over around 1950, when you thought she became cryonically preserved as a fictional character in the classic girls series made famous by Carolyn Keene.

I refer of course to Nancy Drew, the girl who just can't stop sleuthing and playing a goody two-shoes--even on Rodeo Drive in Hollywood.

However, resurrected in this movie directed by Andrew Fleming and written by Tiffany Paulsen, Nancy's OK. Kind of nice to see a teenager who cares about something other than Lattes and the latest outfit from Valentino's, and who actually cares about someone other than herself, habitually studies and makes a habit of developing her skill and resourcefulness.

Yeah, you're OK, Nancy.

Especially you are OK, since I have a spouse who grew up reading the series and considers Nancy (that's Ms. Drew to the likes of me, she says) something of a role model from her youth.

Well, Joyce (my wife) says that the movie really did follow the outline and personalities of the Nancy Drew series very closely. The characterizations of Emma Roberts as Nancy and her small-town lawyer father, Dan, played by Tate Donovan impressed her artistic sensibilities (circa 1950 of course).

Ms. Roberts is a wonderful Nancy, playing the role with just the right combinations of verve, intelligence, spunk and virtuous but quirky manners and concerns.

When she moves to Los Angeles with her father who takes a temporary job away from their quaint, small town of River Heights, she is supposed to quit "sleuthing," and try to be a normal teenager. (Her father actually congratulates her when she accidentally throws a wild party at the old mansion they are renting.)

However, the house they are renting is the scene of a famous crime, the death of movie star, Dehlia Draycott. The idea of solving this tantalizing mystery proves too much for Nancy, and we are treated to watching her deal with various nefarious characters and convoluted plots. There are actually quite a few special effect and stunts carried off rather nicely in this film.

Overall, Nancy Drew is certainly not a great movie, but it is fun to watch--especially if you are watching it with a "wannabe Nancy" spouse.