Penelope

The film Penelope can essentially be summed up with one word: charming. This modern fairy tale has Christina Ricci playing the role of Penelope Wilhern, a blueblood who carries a curse passed on from her great-great grandfather. Born with a pig’s snout and ears, Penelope is immediately sheltered from the outside world by her narrow-minded, but well-meaning, mother Jessica (Catherine O’Hara) and supportive but doormat father (Richard E. Grant). It is said that her curse can only be lifted when she is loved by one of her own, a statement interpreted by Penelope’s parents to mean only when she is married to another blueblood. As soon as she reaches marriageable age, her mother begins her matchmaking efforts – all attempts fail because the suitors run away when Penelope reveals her snout.

One of these suitors, Edward Valderman III blabs to the press about Penelope and immediately catches the attention of pesky reporter Lemon, who has a history with the Wilherns. To prove Edward’s seemingly absurd story, they employ the services of down-on-his-luck blueblood Max Campion (James McAvoy) who despite his resistance, is charmed by Penelope’s quirk. However when he admits that he can’t marry her, Penelope decides she’s had enough and leaves home and ventures into the world outside for the first time. Although the plot is formulaic, the film’s strong cast more than makes up for that con. Ricci is adorable as the wide-eyed and innocent Penelope, whose fascination with the world is translated into the film’s colourful cinematography, costumes and whimsical air. James McAvoy delivers again as the damaged Max Campion, hiding a secret that haunts him and Catherine O’Hara is hilarious as Penelope’s overbearing and concerned mother. It doesn’t break any barriers but Penelope is a cute flick with a moral at the end that will appeal to romantics, young and old.

Cast Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O’Hara, Resse Witherspoon Director Mark Palansky Runtime 104 mins Opens 21 August

TEXT Sarah Chan