Au Pair II
When not prowling the little-known upstairs passages of my local cineplex, Dr. Watson IV and I have been known to idle away a few hours in our sitting room with smaller screen movie fare. Such was our circumstance this Sunday, when the matter of the ABC Family Channel movie “Au Pair II” came to our attention. As the plights of governesses and nannies came to my great-grandfather’s attention in such matters as “Copper Beeches” and “Solitary Cyclist,” I found myself intrigued by the little problems that an au pair could find herself in for a sequel.
The original “Au Pair” saw young Jenny Morgan (Heidi Lenhart) going to work for the wonderfully wealthy Oliver Caldwell (Gregory Harrison) to care for his two mischievious children (Jake Dinwidde and Katie Voiding). As usually happens in such things, Oliver has a scheming fiancee who secretly hates the children, and in a plot slightly reminiscent of “The Parent Trap,” the children must scheme back to get their father to recognize the true virtue of their governness over the vile villainy of the fiance.
All of these folk (except the fiancee) return for a sequel, as the former au pair is now on the road to being the new wife and mother of her former employer and charges. A corporate merger is planned, and schemers (this time a brother and sister) again attempt to come between Oliver and Jenny. (“Love Story” anyone?) Their great moment of crisis takes place in Switzerland, a place where my own family is known for having key moments of life-and-death.
Other than having children save the day with video recorders, the key element of the “Au Pair” movies seems to be castles and great European scenery. One could have filmed a James Bond movie using the locations in “Au Pair II,” and one has the feeling that none of the cast really hated being where they were for shooting the film.
Yes, the problems of one wealthy and easily-conspired-against family might seem a bit trivial for a consulting movie detective. For a lazy Sunday afternoon, one could do a lot worse for the scenery alone.
What Great-Grandfather Sherlock might have said.
“You say that you have had it because you need a change. Let me suggest that you take one. How would Lausanne do, my dear Watson–first-class tickets and all expenses paid on a princely scale?”
Past Investigations
An Introduction to
Mr. Sherlock Holmes IV
Fantastic Four:
Rise of the Silver Surfer