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Penelope
In theaters February 29th 2008
thematic elements, some innuendo and language
Run Time: 102
Matt's rating - 3.75 out of 5
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Review by Matt Mungle
What are the elements required for a grand fairy tale?
You must have a damsel in some sort of distress
paired with a knight, with or without shining armor,
who is willing to risk all to help the damsel. It has to
start with a curse and by all means end with a lesson
learned and the ever after lived happily by all. And like
all tales worth telling, it has to be told in a way that is
unforgettable. All the classics follow this template in
one form or another regardless of the setting or the
time period or the depth of the curse. But what the new
film Penelope does is take that basic recipe and mix it
up a bit by using people that are average. Who have
there own struggles. His armor is a bit dented and
she has long ago given up on love. So in saving each
other, they just might find the answers they need.
Penelope (Christina Ricci) is the way she is because
of a curse put on her family 3 generations past. The
curse stated that the very next female heir born into the
family would have pig features. Through the years
everyone had been lucky enough to produce a son.
Until now. Then out pops Penelope. Being the high
society family they are they decide it best to fake the
child's death and lock her away where they can protect
her from the cruel, outside world. Now 25 years later,
mom (Catherine O'Hara) is trying to find a blue blood
who will marry her daughter; this being the only way
the curse can be lifted. For she has to be loved by one
of her own. The suitors are sworn to secrecy so that
they can never reveal who is hidden away. When one
prospect flees the house he runs directly to a local
newspaper reporter (Peter Dinklage) and sells the
horrific story of the beast behind the gate.
This film is lighthearted and whimsical. The sets and
characters are all sort of magical, even in their
simplicity. Though it has the look and feel of an earlier
time period, it could take place in any era. You can
never quite place a time. But that is the fantasy of it all.
O'Hara shows why she is one of the funniest women
in the business as the hyper protective, yet, vain
mother who wants the perfect child. She is neurotic
and over the top which is perfect for this role. James
McAvoy as the love interest was also a good casting
choice. He has a quiet romanticism about him which
adds a warmth and charm to the story. Reese
Witherspoon also stars, as one of the first outsiders to
befriend young Penelope. This too was a fun role to
see Witherspoon in as she takes on this 80's
throwback Cyndi Lauper look with a rough and tumble
mannerism.
Christina Ricci makes a loveable Penelope in that
although she has these odd features she is still quite
adorable. It is nice to see her in a role where she can
be funny and quirky. She has a dry comedy style about
her and is excellent in the straight role alongside
O'Hara's craziness. It adds a balance which in turn
allows them both to give memorable performances.
Penelope is rated PG for thematic elements, some
innuendo and language. It is a fun film for everyone. It
does a splendid job at conveying its message while
not being cheesy or full of Disney-riddled fluff. It is a
modern fairy tale for a modern, hip audience. I give it a
solid 3.75 out of 5 scarves. It is a reminder that we all
have our flaws and things we wish we could change.
But until we learn to love each other for who we are,
and honestly love ourselves as well, we will never truly
find happiness.
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Matt and Cindy are members of the North Texas
Film
Critics Association (NTFCA). For additional
reviews
and interview clips visit the website.
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Mungleshow Productions
Matt Mungle
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