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Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (Widescreen & Full Screen Edition) 
Actors : Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Lee Pace, Shirley Henderson, Tim Potter
Director : Bharat Nalluri
Studio : Universal Studios
by Universal Studios
Brand : Universal
Release Date : 2008-08-19
Publisher : Universal Studios
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours and eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 0025195016230
UPC : 025195016230
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 56 reviews)
List Price : $29.98
Our Price : $11.49
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Description |
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Academy Award® nominee Amy Adams (Enchanted) and Academy Award® winner Frances McDormand star in this charming comedy about finding a new life and a new love, all in one day. When Miss Pettigrew (McDormand) stumbles upon the chance to become the new "social secretary" to glamorous high-society singer and actress Delysia Lafosse (Adams), she seizes the opportunity despite being totally out of her element. Swept up into the glamorous whirl of high society, it’s all Miss Pettigrew can do to keep up with Delysia as she juggles her lovelife and career in this “delightful champagne cocktail of a comedy!” (Leah Rozen, People). |
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Marketadvisory.com |
Based on a 1938 Winifred Watson novel, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a colorful story about lives stalled in middle age but kick-started again by the follies of youthful lovers all around. Frances McDormand stars as Miss Pettigrew, whose inability to hold a job in London as a governess compromises her well-being shortly before England’s entry in World War II. Finessing her way into a position as social secretary to a young, American golddigger and singer named Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams), the starving Miss Pettigrew finds herself at the center of a whirlwind that is her new employer’s life. Hemmed in by lovers and suitors--including a young, theatrical producer (Tom Payne) looking to cast one of his pleasing girlfriends in a plum role; a creepy nightclub owner (Mark Strong) in whose flat Delysia lives; and a pianist (Lee Pace) who genuinely loves her--Delysia needs a map to figure out how to navigate through life. Miss Pettigrew, who suffered a loss during WWI that she does not speak of, nudges the naïve songstress toward wise decisions. But she is at the mercy of Delysia’s formidable friend (Shirley Henderson), who knows the truth about her impoverished state and is engaged to a much older man (Ciarán Hinds). The latter, a fellow of substance who seems to be meandering through life, falls instantly for the soulful Miss Pettigrew. Full of Art Deco trappings and paced with a vintage, screwball comedy energy, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is like watching a contemporary version of a Hollywood classic. --Tom Keogh
Get to Know the cast from Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day 
Amy Adams | 
Frances McDormand | 
Lee Pace |
Beyond Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day on DVD 
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Stills from Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (Click for larger image) |
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Delightful Comedy (B+ Grade) |
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day is a delightful movie that is part 1940's screwball comedy, part fairy tale. THis movie has two great actresses, Amy Adams, who is simply adorable, and Frances McDormand, who is one of the best actresses in Hollywood today. Both these women shine in every movie they are in and Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day is no exception.
Synopsis: In 1939 London, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew is a middle-aged governess who finds herself once again unfairly dismissed from her job. Without so much as severance pay, Miss Pettigrew realizes that she must for the first time in two decades seize the day. This she does, by intercepting an employment assignment outside of her comfort level as social secretary. Arriving at a penthouse apartment for the interview, Miss Pettigrew is catapulted into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse . Within minutes, Miss Pettigrew finds herself swept into a heady high-society milieu and, within hours, living it up. Taking the social secretary designation to heart, she tries to help her new friend Delysia navigate a love life and career, both of which are complicated by the three men in Delysias orbit; devoted pianist Michael, intimidating nightclub owner Nick, and impressionable junior impresario Phil. Miss Pettigrew herself is blushingly drawn to the gallant Joe a successful designer who is tenuously engaged to haughty fashion maven Edythe the one person who senses that the new social secretary may be out of her element, and schemes to undermine her. Over the next 24 hours, Guinevere and Delysia will empower each other to discover their romantic destinies.
My take on this movie, is pretty much the ugly duckling that becomes a beautiful swan fairy tale. When we first see Miss Pettigrew, she is very down since she has been let go of yet another governess position. She looks very dowdy, wearing an ill-fitting brown outfit, no makeup and looks very depressed and rejected. The firm that placed her in the position, and many others like it, has given up on her and tell her there is nothing more they can do for her. She is a failure. Miss Pettigrew has no money or home, and since she has no other skills to recommend her, she will be quite destitute. Because Miss Pettigrew has no other choice, she pretends to be the social secretary to a young American singer, Delysia who has requested one from Pettigrew's old firm. Miss Pettigrew is in for quite a handful with Delysia, who is juggling three different men to get what she wants. You would think Delysia would be the one character I wouldn't care for because she lies quite well and is deceitful, but since Amy Adams plays her with such flighty innocence, you come to adore her. Delysia helps Miss Pettigrew see how special and beautiful she is, even though she may not look it. Delysia, along with her friend Edythe, played by another wonderful actress, Shirley Henderson, transforms Miss Pettigrew into an attractive and fashionable woman. Edythe expects a thank you from Miss Pettigrew, and wants her to talk some sense into her ex-fiancé, the dashing Joe, played by Ciaran Hinds, who is a fashion designer.
Miss Pettigrew has a skill in handling touchy situations and people listen to her when she talks. She tries to give Delysia advice about love and life even though Pettigrew is a bit sheltered in those aspects. Plus, Pettigrew has fallen in love with Joe, who certainly does not belong with Edythe because Edythe is a nasty sort. But since she knows a major secret about Miss Pettigrew, that could ruin everything, Edythe blackmails Pettigrew into getting her way.
I am a big fan of period pieces and Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day is definitely one of them. There is a bit of zaniness and comedy mixed in with a lovely romance. The costumes of the World War II era were fabulous and the singing talents of Amy Adams shine here just as much as she did playing Giselle in the movie Enchanted. And don't forget the incredible acting of Frances McDormand. Because of Frances, she makes this movie truly wonderful. This is an overall feel good movie that made me believe in hope and love. Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day is a one gem of a movie you don't want to miss.
Katiebabs |
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Fun, Smart, and Cleverly-Written Romantic Comedy |
This was a real surprise to me. Since Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) was supposed to be a nanny, I thought this was going to be a kid-focused movie. Luckily for me, it's anything but. If you enjoy clever wordplay and old-fashioned, slightly complex, drawing room-style comedies, you'll get a kick out of Miss Pettigrew and the host of characters she runs into. (If you like beautiful young people in various states of dress, you'll also get a kick out of Amy Adams and her consorts, as well as a 1940s lingerie fashion show.)
It's nothing deep, but lots of fun. Wonderfully cast, well acted, and deviously humorous, this is an hour-and-a-half well spent, yet you'll spend MUCH less out of pocket than you would at the movie theatre. Highly recommended. |
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A Sweet, Lazy Afternoon Charmer |
MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY is a sweet, appealing way to spend a lazy afternoon. Set in London at the onset of WWII, MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY tells the story of two very different women whose paths cross briefly, making a huge impact in each other lives. This film leaves you feeling happy, with a big smile on your face.
Amy Adams and Frances McDormand are perfect foils for each other. Amy Adams plays the young, carefree, morally questionable, gorgeous young starlet (Delysia Lafosse); Frances McDormand is the plain, unassuming daughter of a clergyman, who makes a rather unsuccessful living as a governess (Miss Pettigrew). Miss Pettigrew has just been fired from another job, and Delysia finds herself in multiple romantic entanglements. The two women find each other, and each makes a big difference in the life of the other. Delysia Lafosse learns what she wants most in her heart, and Miss Pettigrew learns to live. In the end, both get everything that they deserve.
The performances from the entire cast are very pleasing, each person playing their somewhat stereotypical characters to a tee. The costuming is perfect for the period and simply lovely; I really enjoyed all the clothes in this one. The cinematography is muted and soft, working very nicely for the time period portrayed. Overall, this is a very well done film.
A cross between Cinderella and Pygmalion, MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY is a thoroughly enjoyable film, a charmer for the whole family. A real life fairy tale that leaves you contented and satisfied, everyone lives happily ever after. Which is exactly what you want.
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Beyond boring |
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I actually saw this in the movie theater and wanted my money back. The plot was totally unbelievable. The pretty woman in one of the leads was annoying and trying unsuccessfully to channel Marilyn Monroe and it was not at all convincing that the main character, Mrs. Perrigrew, a very plain and boring woman,would attract any male attention the way she did in the movie. It was just all silly and rediculous. |
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A frothy concoction...but well worth a look. |
Over the years I've seen many film reviews that will label something as "frothy" or even a "frothy confection." This description never really spoke to me...but the other day, I watched MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY, and nothing could describe it better than a "frothy confection."
It's frothy because it's almost lighter than air. A lot of energy went into whipping it into something substantial...but the slightest pressure will deflate the integrity. It's a concoction because it is almost unrelentingly sweet and pretty much of no nutritional value.
This isn't to say it isn't fun to consume...because it certainly is.
Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) is a dowdy, straight-laced nanny who has been fired from yet another job because she actually seems to insist on disciplining the children, and perhaps isn't a very good people person. It's the dawn of WWII in London, and there is simply no work to be found. In fact, she's trying to dig food out of the garbage, and is reduced to eating a soup kitchen, and she has lost all of her clothes except the old, brown items she's wearing. By "stealing" a job from her agency, she shows up at the door to a glamorous apartment, whose resident, Delycia (Amy Adams) is looking for a social secretary...a job Miss Pettigrew is not cut out for. Or so it would seem.
Delycia, however, is in the midst of a conundrum. She has one man upstairs in her bedroom (he's a theater producer, and Delycia wants to star in his next show...no matter the cost), but she needs to get rid of him, because the man who owns the apartment she's staying in is about to come over. Miss Pettigrew, almost despite her distaste for the situation, manages to extract Delysia from trouble, and Delysia takes an instant liking for her new "friend."
The movie essentially follows roughly a 24 hour period, in which we meet Delysia's several boyfriends, see the two new acquaintances head to a swanky lunch, pick out some new clothes for Miss Pettigrew, attend a fashion show, host a party and visit a nightclub. Everywhere they go, they meet the same little circle of socialites...a bunch of backstabbers, for the most part.
The movie mostly revolves around Delysia's need to decide which man is right for her (we know almost from the beginning, so mostly we're watching to see how Delysia gets there)...and even more enjoyably, watching Miss Pettigrew emerge from her shell and take some first, delicate steps towards truly reconnecting with mankind. The two women are just what the other needs to kick their lives forward. Not one moment of the film is truly surprising, and while there is plenty of sniping and scheming...no one is really an irredeemable villain.
While the film is not intellectually stimulating, it has lots going for it anyway. First of all, the costumes and sets are fabulous. The designers must have had the best time recreating the highest possible fashion of the time. (Pay special attention to Delysia's bedroom...it is a marvel.) I found myself literally grinning just looking at the movie.
And the performances are delightful. Amy Adams can't seem to fail to be charming. In ENCHANTED, she was warm, funny and irresistible. In MISS PETTIGREW...she's bubbly and full of life, but she's also neurotic and a bit of a floozy. Yet by the end, she's won us over. McDormand continues to do no wrong (in my book). What I like about her is that she can make herself appear plain, middle-aged bordering on elderly, dowdy, severe and humorless...and then in the twinkling of an eye, she drops 10-15 years, is radiant, intelligent and full of humorous mischief. The real fun of this film is watching her very subtle transformation.
I want to give special "shout outs" to Ciaran Hinds as the stuffy, reserved fashion designer who is intrigued by Miss Pettigrew, and to Shirley Henderson as the conniving Edythe. Hinds is just a amazingly commanding screen presence (I'm thinking of his imperious Julius Caesar in ROME), but here he shows his romantic side to really nice effect. Henderson is best known as Moaning Myrtle in the HARRY POTTER films...but here she is far from playing a teenager. Her distinctive voice serves her well in this juicy little role.
MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY is the kind of film you won't remember for long...but it was so delightful during its running time, and left me feeling good for awhile after its conclusion. Honestly, not many movies can even live up to that modest but admirable level. |
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