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Penelope 
Actors : Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage
Director : Mark Palansky
Studio : Summit Entertainment
by Summit Entertainment
Release Date : 2008-07-15
Publisher : Summit Entertainment
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 0025195037952
UPC : 025195037952
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 47 reviews)
List Price : $25.99
Our Price : $16.97
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Marketadvisory.com |
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Taking cues from Beauty and the Beast and Cyrano de Bergerac, director Mark Palanksy debuts with a slight, if fanciful confection. Produced by Reese Witherspoon and written by Leslie Caveny, Penelope begins with the phrase, "Once upon a time...," making it clear the proceedings owe more to fantasy than reality. Due to a family curse, Ricci's sweet-natured heiress sports a pig snout instead of a normal nose. Since surgery isn't an option--it would sever her carotid artery--her parents (Christopher Guest favorite Catherine O'Hara and an underused Richard E. Grant) hide her from the world for 25 years. Penelope can only break the spell through "one who will love her faithfully," but none of the local bluebloods will have her. One fateful day, while her face is hidden, she meets musician-turned-gambler Max (Atonement's James McAvoy in a winning performance). Sparks fly, until she finds he's only cozying up to her on orders from tabloid reporter Lemon (The Station Agent's Peter Dinklage), so Penelope runs away from home. The city she enters looks much like modern-day London--Amélie's Michel Amathieu served as cinematographer--except most everyone speaks with an American accent (then again, the film is a fable). The aspiring horticulturist befriends spunky courier Annie (Witherspoon) and reconnects with Max, who harbors secrets of his own. Once people become accustomed to her unconventional looks, Penelope's future starts to brighten. Like Enchanted, Palanksy's first feature gives the romantic comedy a refreshing--and empowering--fairytale twist. --Kathleen C. Fennessy |
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Penelope |
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It was an awesome movie. Humorous, heart-warming and an all-around great story! Wish I had bought the special edition one. |
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Great for the whole family |
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My boyfriend and I both loved this movie. It had a great story line, great acting and it was funny. It's a movie the whole family can watch together. |
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Not quite there |
To begin, I am sorry to say that this film was something of a letdown for me. I am proud to admit that I am a pathetic addict of cutesy fairy-tale movies, the more over-the-top and sing-songy, the better. I think that is where "Penelope" failed me. In my eyes, it never quite reached it's disgustingly adorable potential while I sat in the theatre, enjoying the movie, but still waiting for some big grandiose scene that would cause all cynics to roll their eyes. I waited and waited, but nothing ever came beyond pretty decent. And really, this is a story that should have worked. Great idea, great actors. What made it so "just all right"?
Really, if you are going to make a modern fairy tale about a girl with the face of a pig, you might as well go all the way. It seemed as if they were afraid of making it too cheesy, too cute. Well, boys, that is what the intended audience WANTED! The beginning was good and flamboyant, the ending satisfying for all hopeless romantics. It was the middle that was just too ordinary for me. I wanted to feel the passion at new world. I wanted to like the romance! But it never grabbed me the way it should have.
Still, thankfully, the basic formula was good and that was the saving grace here. There have been several fairy tales throughout folklore history involving a girl switching her own head for that of a pig or some other animal, so I was happy with that. True to fairy tale form, she was "locked in a tower"--actually just living comfortably at home while the rest of the world believed she had died as an infant. There is the line of suitors whilst Penelope waits for Prince Charming.
Then, as befits inspiring modern-day girls, Penelope gets sick of waiting around to be rescued from her curse and sets out into the world. I admit, the scene where she pulls open the too-familiar gate of her home to reveal a glittering city scene did bring a tear to my eye.
And, of course, we get the good, inspiring message and I certainly can't complain about that.
The acting was also good. I have a soft spot for Christina Ricci and her naive beauty, which made her perfect for the role as Penelope; she was a perfect modern-day cursed princess. I realize that Catherine O'Hara bothers some people, but frankly her zaniness entertains me. The rest of the crew certainly held their own.
So, yes, I did enjoy this movie and I hope multiple DVD viewings will make it worm its way into my heart. After all, there is plenty to love about "Penelope" and its positive message.
But it never gave the bang I was looking for. |
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Think pig. So she's a fat girl? |
Poor Penelope(Christina Ricci) has been born with a curse that has given her the nose of a pig. Years and years have passed and after a faked death, eye-loss of an LP newsman paparazzi, and attempt after attempt to find a suitor; Penelope has begun to loose faith.
Of course that is until she meets 'Max Campion'(James Mcavoy) who although has never laid eyes on her seems to see who she really is inside. He gives her the passion to run away from her stifling parents to discover life and who she is behind the pig nose.
"Do you have any other pig parts?"
"No! "
"With such a large nose, do you smell better than the rest of us?"
"You tell me."
Being the huge Mcavoy fan that I am the long wait for the film to FINALLY come out gave me a scare, but it is truly wonderful.
Visually stunning in every-way, this film is whimsical and wonderful, the set and cinematography are breathtaking and surreal. Also Penelope's wardrobe is offbeat and stylish and the soundtrack was beautifully chosen. Sigur Ros' Hoppipolla gives me goosebumps and it fits the scene perfectly.
All around good performances from the whole cast, not to mention a different role for Reese Witherspoon.
A heart-warming tale for the romantic in all of us! Some fairy-tales do come true! |
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"I'm Still Me" ~ Discovering The Inner Power Of Love |
Ah..., don't you absolutely love stories about ancient family curses that are eventually broken by the affirmation of true love? Of course you do, everybody does. Well the '08 film 'Penelope' is one of those fairy tale like tales that the whole family can enjoy. Christina Ricci stars as Penelope, the pig faced young recluse burdened with the family curse and James McAvoy is perfectly cast in the role of her would-be suitor and potential curse breaker.
While the story line begins to unfold as we've come to expect in most traditional fairy tales you just might be surprised at the clever, completely unexpected twist at the end. Loads of entertainment value here complimented by some unique visual elements sure to catch the attention of the audience. |
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