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List Price: $25.99 | | Label: Summit Entertainment
Salesrank: 390
Released: July 15, 2008 |
| Our Price: $19.99 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
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
Penelope Reviews:
Charming and Delightful 
2008-06-01 - I love watching this movie! Ricci and McAvoy worked so well together and it was nice to see Witherspoon play a supporting role and a character different from her usual. This is a movie that both kids and adults can enjoy and one that teaches a great lesson: to love yourself as you are.
A wonderful fun movie 
2008-05-21 - This was such a fun movie. The tale is great and the acting is wonderful. James McAvoy is so cute and sweet. I really enjoyed the sets, especially Penelope's bedroom, it is full of magic and imagination. Her wardrobe leaves me drooling as well. This is an entertaining and fun movie and I've been waiting for it to be released on DVD ever since I saw it in the theater.
Penelope
2008-05-01 - I've been looking forward to watching this movie since Aug. 2007 when i saw a trailer for it and i didn't get to see it till Apr 2008. It lived up to my expectations and i loved it!
Fantastic Movie!
2008-04-25 - I loved this movie! I knew it was going to be good, but it turned out a lot better then i expected! It taught a good lesson, to like yourself the way you are and was just wonderful! The acting was also really good, i haven't seen Christina Ricci in a movie in a while.
The perils of Penelope
2008-04-13 - Can you imagine something worse
Than being born under a curse?
A young girl with a pretty pout
That's in the shadow of her snout
Until the day one of her own
Shall make their true love freely known
Her mother tries to make a match
By landing a blue-blooded catch
But each man that might break the spell
Takes one quick look, then runs like hel!
Leaving a disappointed lass
And one big pile of shattered glass
But then along comes scruffy Max
Who doesn't leave burnt tire tracks
But stays instead to have a chat
And make some music in B-Flat
But when it comes down to the crunch
He leaves just like the other bunch
So off she runs, Penelope
The whole wide world's for her to see
But it's no fun without some cash
And so she gets herself a stash
And sets about just living life
Without the husband-hunting strife
It ends exactly as you'd think
Penelope is in the pink
But half the fun is getting there
And this one's great, I do declare
If you like fantasy, and fun
I recommend you see this one
Short Attention Span Summary (SASS)
1. Family curse breeds sow
2. Mother seeks suitable suitor with silk purse to break curse
3. She's looking for love in all the wrong places
4. Great performances by Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara (recreating her "Home Alone" persona), Reese Witherspoon (small part) and Peter Dinklage.
Amanda Richards, April 12, 2008
