See it at the Movies

ANNIE

Joyce and Don Fowler
Posted 1/8/15

* * *

Update of classic musical)

Does the world need another “Annie?” Probably not, but if we must, at least this updated version of the classical musical has two very good …

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See it at the Movies

ANNIE

Posted

* * *

Update of classic musical)

Does the world need another “Annie?” Probably not, but if we must, at least this updated version of the classical musical has two very good performances.

Quvenzhane Wallis, who was adorable in “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” is adorable in a completely different way as the title star. There’s no red hair, but she has her own distinctive style.

Jamie Foxx is convincing as Will Stacks, the wealthy NYC businessman who is running for mayor of the city. Stacks is 20 points behind in the polls, but jumps into the lead when he saves Annie from being hit by a car. His conniving campaign manager (Bobby Cannavale) develops a strategy that has Stacks taking Annie from her drunken foster mother (Cameron Diaz) and coming to live with him.

The modern version has Annie living in luxury while helping Stacks’ campaign get a comfortable lead, thanks to the charming orphan.

While the basic story is similar to the original, changing the time and place makes for a few interesting innovations. Social media plays a major role in developing the story. Missing is the emphasis on President Roosevelt and the New Deal.

Diaz works hard to make Mrs. Hannigan a dislikable person. The problem is that the original movie and musical versions show her more as a caricature. One of the great numbers of the musical, “Easy Street,” is lost, as is the scene with Annie singing “Tomorrow” to the president and his cabinet.

The relationship between Stacks and his personal assistant (Rose Byrne) develops nicely and the two-hour movie ends happily ever after. There is an interesting plug for literacy educations thrown in during the closing credits.

Rated PG, with nothing to worry about.

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