The Screening Room
Specially written for What's Up
“Penelope” sends the message of learning to love yourself, but viewers might just find themselves falling in love with this quirky family fairy-tale about a young woman with a pig’s snout making her way in the world.
While the premise is more than a bit offbeat, Christina Ricci as Penelope with a distractingly likable schnoz is a fresh and kid-friendly take on the romantic comedy genre.
Penelope is a lonely young woman confined to her palatial home by overprotective parents (the pitch-perfect Richard E. Grant and Catherine O’Hara) who think the world is not yet ready to see the mug of a swine on their beloved, blue-blooded daughter. To break the family curse that gave her the unfortunate sneezer, a host of eligible bachelors from the top tier of society come calling, but Penelope’s features send them all escaping through second story windows until Max (James McAvoy) seems to stick.
But of course Penelope’s happily ever after isn’t found until one scrappy paparazzo, an angry suitor and a Vespa-riding Annie — played delightfully by Reese Witherspoon — all make their marks on her deliciously adorable story.
Directed by Mark Palansky, written by Leslie Caveny and produced by Hollywood onscreen favorite Witherspoon, this Shrek-meets-Cinderella fable is a juicy, sweet and creative treat that sends its audience out satisfied. With one giggle-inducing proposal (Simon Woods, “Pride and Prejudice”), an escape from her imprisoning kingdom and happy adventures with some truly charming new pals, “Penelope” is an appealing little tale with a big, big heart.
The sweetly brave heroine proves it’s what’s inside that counts, and you can count this flick as one not to be missed. Pig snout and all.
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