Zelly And Me

In this deceptively cuddly picture about the psychological violence inflicted by a grandmother on her granddaughter, Alexandra Johnes plays Phoebe, an orphaned eight-year-old who lives with her grandmother (Glynis Johns) on an immaculate Virginia estate. Phoebe is deeply attached to her French nanny, Joan, called "Zelly" (a childish version of "Mademoiselle"), played by Isabella Rossellini. Phoebe's favorite pastime is learning about St. Joan of Arc. The grandmother, a lonely, bereaved woman, tries to bind Phoebe to her by separating the youngster from anyone who might come between them. She gradually banishes the gardener for giving Phoebe a gift, Zelly for an ima...