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Film Gecko

Review & Trailer: "Nancy Drew"

by Jane Boursaw on March 11th, 2008

Movie: Nancy Drew	On DVD:	March 11, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG for mild violence, thematic elements and brief language	Gecko Rating:

Over the years, the beloved teen sleuth known as Nancy Drew has solved more than 500 mysteries – in books written by Carolyn Keene (a pseudonym for many authors); in movies dating back to the 1930’s; and in various TV shows, most notably one in the 1970’s starring Pamela Sue Martin.

Now the franchise reboots itself with this movie, directed by Andrew Fleming. The movie opens with young Nancy (Emma Roberts) and her dad, attorney Carson Drew (Tate Donovan), leaving their friendly hometown of River Heights and heading west to Los Angeles for a few months. Carson has a consulting job with high-powered estate attorney, Dashiel Biedermeyer (Barry Bostwick).

More after the jump, including a trailer…

Enrolling at Hollywood High School, Nancy is most definitely “the new girl in town.” With her penny loafers, matching sweater sets, and impeccable manners, she doesn’t exactly fit in with the self-absorbed, fast-paced kids in L.A., especially reigning fashionistas Inga and Trish (Daniella Monet and Kelly Vitz), who make her life miserable.

The Carsons are staying in the Draycott Mansion, an abandoned estate with a mystery: the unexplained death of its former owner, glamorous film star Dehlia Draycott (Laura Harring, in flashbacks). Within hours of their arrival, some of Nancy’s personal items go missing, she hears weird noises, and a menacing caretaker named Leshing (Marshall Bell) makes it clear that he doesn’t appreciate their company.

The young detective can’t help herself. She has to get involved, even though she’s promised her dad no more sleuthing. He’s proud of his daughter’s accomplishments, but worries for her safety. River Heights was a small town, and they knew the police chief personally. But it’s a different story in the sprawling metropolis of L.A. So he and Nancy agreed that she would take a break from detective work in California.

While there, Nancy ponders her feelings for Ned (Max Thieriot), the boy she left back in River Heights. Imagine her surprised when he shows up in her beloved sky-blue convertible – Carson asked him to drive it to L.A. as a birthday present for Nancy.

Rounding out the cast are Rachael Leigh Cook as Jane Brighton, a single mom living with her daughter in an L.A. apartment; Caroline Aaron as an eager real estate agent; Emmy Award winner Pat Carroll as the Draycott estate’s gossipy landlady; and Josh Flitter as Corky, a fast-talking 12-year-old with a huge crush on Nancy.

Friends Bess (Amy Bruckner) and George (Kay Panabaker) appear briefly, but they stay back in River Heights, as does the Carson’s housekeeper Hannah (Monica Parker).

Trailer: