Movie Review - Penelope

Starring Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon, Catherine O’Hara, Peter Dinklage
Director:  Mark Palansky
Rating: PG

Occasionally my little family of me, my husband, and my daughter sit down to watch a movie that we all like. Truthfully, this is no small task; most of the time one of the three of us sits through a movie that we just don’t get. So when we sat down to watch Penelope, I was fairly sure that it wouldn’t sell to all of us, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Penelope is in some ways a formula movie - it’s a modern day fairytale, a self-esteem fairytale. As Hollywood bows to the pressure of the feminist movement, a fairytale can no longer be a pretty dress and a charming prince. It is not enough that our heroine be good and beautiful - she must be strong and independent. Now, I for one think this is a good development.  Many times, as a child, I lamented the stupidity of some of my fairy princesses (if they hadn’t been stupid though the princes wouldn’t have had anything to do). Penelope is not stupid; she is what so many of us are, strong and secure in the familiar things in life, but scared and fragile in unfamiliar territory. Her journey brings her to a greater knowledge of her capabilities and makes her face her fears.

This movie is about a girl who, through no fault of her own, lives with a curse that gave her the face of a pig. The only way to break the curse is to marry a blue blood like her, and her mother has devoted her life to breaking the curse. Penelope has always been kept inside to protect her from what the outside world might think of her. The story follows Penelope through her journey to break the curse.

The cast of this movie is awesome, Penelope is played by Christina Ricci, and the talented James McAvoy plays her love interest. Also highlighting the cast is the wonderful Catherine O’Hara as the smothering mother and Reese Witherspoon as the off-beat, but accepting new friend. The locations of the movie are a character in themselves with lovely offbeat colors and styles. I loved the movie. It made me smile.

Purchase Penelope.

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