emma thompson do a phenomenal job with the screenplay for this movie . it be a charming story and with lot of dry wit . the cast be marvelous too . all of the child seem real and not too cutesy . emma herself and a the title character and be calm and funny at the same time . it certainly doesn not hurt that colin firth play the father . ( i would watch him read the dictionary ) . kelly macdonald be also marvelous a evangeline . and i need to mention angela lansbury ( who wear a marvelous fake hook nose . it take me a few minute to recognize her ) . she be also very funny in her role . lot of great support character and too and like celia imrie and imelda staunton and derek jacobi and and patrick barlowe . any fan of british cinema will enjoy the cast . this be a great family movie and though toddler will be bore . old child will well understand the humor .