Release Date: February, 29 2008 MPAA Rating: PG Genre: Romantic •
Fantasy Director: Mark Palansky Writers: Leslie Caveny Cast: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage, Richard E. Grant, Simon Woods, Nick Frost, Nigel Havers Synopsis: In this modern day romantic tale, Penelope is about a young girl's inspiring journey, a mysterious family secret and the power of love. With all odds against her, in order for Penelope to break the family curse, she must find true love with "one of her own kind" and realize the most important life lesson, "I like myself the way I am." Penelope Wilhern, born to wealthy socialites, is afflicted by the Wilhern spell that can only be broken when she finds love. Hidden away in her family's estate, the lonely girl meets a string of suitors in her parent's futile attempt to break the curse. Each eligible bachelor is enamored with Penelope and her sizable dowry; until her curse is revealed. Lemon, a mischievous and eager tabloid reporter wants a photograph of the mysterious Penelope and hires Max to pose as a prospective suitor to get the shot. The handsome down-on-his luck gambler finds himself falling for Penelope, but not wanting to disappoint her or to expose his surreptitious ways, he decides to disappear. Fed up by his latest betrayal and determined to live life on her own terms, Penelope breaks free from her family and ventures into the world alone. She finds adventure and Annie, her first friend and becomes the person she was meant to be. The Review: Mikey and Rori Tag Team Penelope.
Mikey: Because it’s me and because I just need to get this out of the way before beginning any coherent review of the film; Christina Ricci with a pig nose? I’d still hit that. Now you can theorize if I’m just being a pig (pun intended) or if I’m just able to see past the nose to her inner beauty but I’ll save you some time…it’s both. Christina is so damn cute that even a pig snout doesn’t really damage the goods, and her character in this is uber charming, smart, and sweet. Either way you slice this ham I just want to make her squeal.
Rori: Penelope disappointed as a morality tale at the very end, but was just Burton-esque enough to be a sweet fairy tale instead, fit for kids & adults alike. Ricci, weirdly, was the most normal character as Penelope, surrounded by other characters, all equally charming and oddball in their own (less visible) ways. Katherine O'Hara was perfectly suited as Penelope's high strung mother, who ends up being more of a curse than even a pig nose with her smothering love. Witherspoon, whose Type A Productions produced, gave herself a choice role in which we finally got to see her acting anything but (type A, that is). I liked her as Annie; she would be accused of being a scene stealer if it weren't impossible to overshadow Ricci in this one. The other memorable character for me was Dinklage's reporter; he manages to be funny and sweet without overdoing (despite some gags that would have brought out the ham in me had I been in his shoes).
Mikey: All in all I really enjoyed this movie. It has a great message about self worth and also about not judging others. It’s got a solid pace and keeps things pretty steady and light. The movie has an interesting look and feel to it that really is very Burton-esque, but it doesn’t detract from the movie at all. The only difficulty I had with the movie is Reese Witherspoon’s character, it didn’t suit her and would have been better left to an unknown or someone else who excels at those types of rolls. Every time she was on screen it pulled me out of the story. Not a huge complaint but still.
Rori: Without spoiling the end, I can't tell you why it doesn't quite work as a morality tale for me. That doesn't at all detract from the overall charm it had though - I truly loved this one and can't wait to see it again.
