Review: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Chick 1 says:miss-pettigrew

I love a movie where a makeover solves everything. That’s my kind of chick flick. While there’s more to this movie than just a makeover, it definitely captures the spirit of the story. 

What I Liked: I caught this movie at the theater when it opened in March 2008 and enjoyed it. Watched it on DVD with a friend last night & enjoyed it even more the second time. Done in the style of a 1930s screwball comedy, it is never boring, moving along at a madcap pace.  Set in 1939 London, it stars Frances McDormand as the title character, a down-on-her-luck governess. I realized that I have greatly underappreciated McDormand & her abilities. Fargo, Burn After Reading, Something’s Gotta Give, even Madeline…she is always enchanting to watch. Not traditionally beautiful and that makes me like her even more. The rest of the cast is spot on as well, with the occasional exception of Amy Adams.

The set pieces & costumes are GORGEOUS. I really want to go out & shop for some ’30s style clothes (& lingerie) now. The direction & cinematography strike just the right lusheous note, recreating an era bygone, both realistically and fancifully. Director Bharat Nalluri does a fantastic job; in one particular scene making great use of the mirrors and not in a “Look at me, I’m a director!” way. There’s plenty of action & it’s very sweet & heartwarming at times.

What I Didn’t Like: Parts of Amy Adams performance. Frances McDormand described this film as a buddy film & she’s right. Therefore we spend almost the entire movie with both McDormand & Adams, and Adams often got on my nerves. Her character is supposed to be high strung & flighty. Add to that the madcap ’30s style and she went ‘way over the top. It was a tough note to hit, but I don’t think she quite got it.

Bottom Line: Delightful, 1930s fairy tale.  Rent it with some girlfriends & then go shopping.

Posted on by Chick 1 in Reviews, The 2000s 2 Comments

2 Responses to Review: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

  1. the queen of mouth talking

    i liked this movie. After Almost Famous, i started to have a tiny following with Frances. Burn after Reading…hilarious and embarrassing. Anywho..stay on topic. i like flighty…makes me look responsible!

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