FOR more than 75 years, the literary heroine created by Carolyn Keene has been delighting generations of readers with her daring exploits.

Director Andrew Fleming gives Nancy a makeover of sorts in this jolly romp, which should play well with young female audiences.

In her home town of River Heights, resourceful teenage detective Nancy (Emma Roberts) is a legend, helping the local police to put the bad guys behind bars.

It's a sad day indeed when Nancy and her father, widowed attorney Carson (Tate Donovan), move to the west coast, where the amateur sleuth enrols in Hollywood High School and instantly clashes with her fashion conscious classmates.

Bitchy double-act Inga and Trish are extremely dismissive of Nancy's penchant for retro clothing, including her trademark penny loafers. Carson hopes the move will distract Nancy from her sleuthing.

Little does he know that his daughter is already beginning to unravel the mystery of suicidal Hollywood actress Dehlia Draycott (Laura Harring).

Nancy Drew is a gently paced mystery adventure that remains faithful to the spirit of the books, while introducing contemporary elements including a bizarre cameo from a Hollywood superstar playing himself.

  • See it at Empire, Odeon