Movie Review: Penelope

This film was first released at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2006, then at the Cannes in May of '07. It wasn't shown in the USA until Feb. 2008, though I have no idea why it took so long for USA release!

Penelope stars Christina Ricci, Catherine O'Hara, James McAvoy, and even Reese Witherspoon in a smaller role. It was written by Leslie Caveny, and directed by Mark Palansky.

It is called "a fairy tale like no other," and indeed, it was what I didn't expect. I had heard of Penelope, but had never seen it till recently, when I finally rented the movie from our local video store.

The story is a sort of modern fairy tale, taking place amongst the rich and wealthy, as well as the lowly commoners. It is about a curse passed on through many generations in the Wilhern family, to the next female that was born--a curse that would make that child be born with the nose--or snout, rather--of a pig, until they could find someone who could really truly love them as they are.

Christina plays the title character of Penelope, and learns throughout the movie that it's not what others think, or what they've impressed on her about herself--but what she thinks of herself, that matters. She does an amazing job with the role, and because the graphics and prosthetics are done so clean--what I expected to be a ridiculous fake-looking nose actually fits perfectly with the young actress's face.

It's amazing, watching the film, how critical Penelope's appearance makes even the viewer, because we expect such beauty from Christina Ricci, but her face seems so marred by something different! It was a reminder that the story of the film rings true, and because someone is different doesn't mean they should be shunned or made to think there is something amiss.

James McAvoy (from Atonement and Wanted) was surprisingly good in his role as the mistaken blueblood who Penelope's family thinks can break the curse, but who isn't really what he seems. I didn't like him in Wanted or Atonement, but he really grew on me in this film.

As did Peter Dinklage, who plays the reporter hounding the Wilhern family, who has kept Penelope's nose hidden, to the point of faking her death as an infant, just so no one would know about her. He's cute and even though starts out as a semi-bad guy, does the right thing in the end.

Catherine O'Hara plays Penelope's mother very well--and you really just want her to leave the girl alone, and let her be who she is as the movie goes on! She brings her character across just as she should've, and so gets props for that.

Reese also, in a bit of a different role than we're used to seeing her (albeit not a very large role), brings her character across in a believable way.

All in all, this movie isn't what you expect when you start watching it, and is both cute and smart, funny and serious. I loved it, and would suggest it to anyone who's looking for a romantic tale that's fresh and fun!