Details
Movie Description
Like Tim Burton's EDWARD SCISSORHANDS and the TV show PUSHING DAISIES, PENELOPE is a modern fairy tale, complete with candy colors and whimsical cinematography. PENELOPE begins with a generations-old curse by a jilted lover: the next girl in the aristocratic Wilhern family will be born with a pig's snout and ears. Though ages pass, the bad luck finally manifests itself in young Penelope (Christina Ricci) much to the shame of her mother (Christopher Guest favorite Catherine O'Hara). In an effort to break the curse, her mother and father (Richard E. Grant, WITHNAIL AND I) try to bring in a series of blue-blooded suitors. But when they see her face, the men all run screaming. Enter Max (James McAvoy), a down-on-his-luck gambler who connects with Penelope. But when he is exposed as a fraud, the heartbroken girl escapes into the surrounding city. Though she hides her face with a scarf, Penelope gets to experience life outside her family's mansion for the first time.
Pig nose and all, Ricci is adorable as the title character, excellent in alternating between naïveté and independence. Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon succeeds in double duty as both a producer and in a small acting role as Penelope's first friend in the big city. But it's McAvoy, a standout in ATONEMENT and THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, who threatens to steal hearts. The pair's romance is believable, and it makes the film good viewing for fairy tale fans of all ages. The PG rating should appeal to families, as should the film's message about the importance of inner beauty and self confidence.
Industry Reviews
4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]here are plenty of enjoyable twists....[With] an extremely snappy script..."
Empire - Kat Brown (03/01/2008)
"Christina Ricci as Penelope turns in a quiet, unassuming performance....The moral of the story is about acceptance, especially acceptance of self."
Box Office - Barbara Goslawski (03/01/2008)
"[A] colourful modern-day fairytale....Catherine O'Hara puts in an amusing performance....Often charming and occasionally witty."
Sight and Sound - Anna Smith (03/01/2008)
"[T]he film has a strong cast, humor and a satirical take on celebrity culture....This UGLY DUCKLING redux is hipper and funnier than a Disney movie."
USA Today - Claudia Puig (03/01/2008)
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