PENELOPE

Hello. So, we meet again. How 'bout that? Knowing people wherever you go is such a delightful thing doncha think? Well, the Holidays are heavy upon us and I am glad to report that I am finally done with my Christmas cards. My special Christmas reviews will be next week. How fun! Okay, so let's deck the halls and all that.

Rated PG

Length: 89 minutes

Director: MARK PALANSKY

Cast: CHRISTINA RICCI, JAMES MCAVOY, CATHERINE O'HARA, REESE WITHERSPOON, PETER DINKLAGE, RICHARD E. GRANT, RONNI ANCONA, RICHARD JAMES, LENNY HENRY, BURN GORMAN, TALLULAH EVANS

Genres: Romance

Other Features:
Color; interactive menus; scene access.

Screen Formats:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Full Screen: 1.33:1

Subtitles:
English SDH, Spanish

Language and Sound:
English: Dolby Digital 5.1

Original Release Date:
2007

I am a fan of CHRISTINA RICCI's movies. She is one of my fave actresses and I usually always enjoy her work. Mr. Cutie Pie, JAMES MCAVOY (ATONEMENT) is in this and is very cute, as to be expected. Also, you got a great supporting cast: CATHERINE O'HARA, RICHARD E. GRANT and REESE WITHERSPOON (I think she helped produce this). The story is a fairy tale; you can't really go wrong there. There is also some nice camera work. I thought the costumes could have been cooler. Basically, Ms. Ricci is Penelope who is a super rich girl with a pig's nose (she gets it from a family curse) only the curse can be broken by true love of another of "her kind". So, her fab and self-absorbed parents try to find someone to marry her, but of course everyone is horrified when they see her pig nose. You get the jist. I thought this was a very creative film and enjoyed most parts of it. However, it was a bit slow and the acting seemed a little bland, considering the talent working on this project. The ending seemed to be cut short. Or maybe I just wanted it to be different. Dunno. I would say that this is worth the watch, simply for who is in it and the modern-y telling of a fairy tale. I liked when PENELOPE leaves the house for the first time, you have the real sense of adventure and exploration. I, also, liked that it had a bit of a feminist take on the fairy tale thing in that the goal is to find happiness and acceptance of herself. She also gets a career. How' bout that CINDERELLA? If you have time, make sure to search for Marin Real Estate.

Ciao,

Ms. Mitzi