I have to admit, I am not familiar with the Broadway musical or the later film adaptations and my knowledge was limited to a basic understanding of the plot (because it changes in different versions) and classic tracks Tomorrow and It’s the Hard Knock Life. So while I can’t compare it to its predecessors, I can still say that it didn’t leave me with the happy, warm feeling musicals usually do.
Quvenzhane Wallis stars as Annie Bennett in this modern-day reboot as a foster child (not orphan!) living under the guardianship of Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). One day, mobile phone businessman and wannabe mayor Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) saves her from a potential car accident and when he sees it boosts his campaign ratings, he invites her to live with him temporarily. She is mainly looked after by his assistant Grace (Rose Byrne). His campaign advisor (Bobby Cannavale) begins to hatch a plan with Hannigan to reunite Annie with her ‘parents’, whether they are the real ones or not.