Scarlett Johansson stars in a discreetly tender adaptation of the 2002 novel “The Nanny Diaries,” as a young woman struggling to find her own place in the world.

Annie Braddock (Johansson) has recently graduated from New York University. In a world of perfect opportunities, she would make a living as an anthropologist. Her mom though wants her to become a respectable businesswoman.

When Annie tries to satisfy her mother’s dream and fails, she makes do with a job as nanny for an uptight wealthy Upper East Side couple’s 4-year-old boy, attempting to put off adulthood just a little while longer.

She soon discovers that being nanny for Grayer is no walk in a sunny park and nurtures her own longing for some anthropological research by creating her own Nanny Diaries, in which Mr. X (Paul Giamatti) and Mrs. X (Laura Linney), become her object of study in a Margaret Mead kind of way.

The two spouses are struggling with their marriage; their son is merely another possession and another project to promote their successful image. Mrs. X is considering feeding her son French cuisine to improve his French. Mr. X is never around, continually submerged in the thick waters of his business endeavors.

Annie in the meantime takes notes, observes with interest, is saddened and frustrated by the Xs’ relationship with their child, whom she has grown to love, and falls under the spell of neighbor “Harvard Hottie” (Chris Evans).

In other roles, jazz singer Alicia Keys appears as Annie’s best friend Lynette; Nicholas Reese Art as Grayer; and Donna Murphy as Annie’s mom.

Directors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus bring several changes to the novel written by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, such as making Annie an Anthropology major, instead of a Child Development major.

What does begin to sting a little in your side is that, a keen observer as she is, Annie decries the Xs’ lifestyle and mentality. Though she wants out, it takes her forever to act upon her own wishes. Then again, it’s not quite that easy in real life either, is it?

Rated: PG-13 by the MPAA for language

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, Paul Giamatti, Chris Evans, Donna Murphy, Alicia Keys, Nicholas Art, Nathan Corddry

Directed by Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Produced by Richard N. Gladstein

Written by Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini