DVD Release Date: July 15, 2008 Starring: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Reese
Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage, Richard E. Grant, Simon Woods, Ronni Ancona, Nick
Frost, Richard James Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy MPAA Rating: PG (for thematic elements, some innuendo and language)
Plot Summary: "Penelope" is the story of a young woman, Penelope Wilhern
(Christina Ricci), born to wealthy socialites (Richard E. Grant and Catherine
O'Hara). Penelope is afflicted by a secret family curse that can only be broken
when she is loved by one of her own kind. Hidden away in the family's majestic
home, she is subjected to meeting a string of blue-bloods through her parent's
futile attempt to marry her off and break the curse. Each suitor is instantly
enamored with Penelope (and her sizable dowry)... until the curse is revealed.
When a willing mate cannot be found, mischievous tabloid reporter Lemon (Peter
Dinklage) hires Max (James McAvoy) to pose as a prospective suitor in hopes of
snapping a photo of the mysterious Penelope. Max, who is really a
down-on-his-luck gambler, finds himself drawn to Penelope and not wanting to
expose or disappoint her, disappears and leaves Lemon in the lurch. Fed up by
this latest betrayal and determined to live life on her own terms, Penelope
breaks free from her family and goes out into the world in search of adventure -
curse be damned.
The feature filmmaking debut of director Mark Palansky, "Penelope" was produced
by Reese Witherspoon, Scott Steindorff, and Jennifer Simpson, and written by
Leslie Caveny
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...more
Movie Spotlight
Penelope Release Date: February 29, 2008 Studio: Summit Entertainment Director: Mark Palansky Screenwriter: Leslie Caveny Starring: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Reese
Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage, Richard E. Grant, Simon Woods, Ronni Ancona, Nick
Frost, Richard James Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy MPAA Rating: PG (for thematic elements, some innuendo and language) Official Website: Penelopethemovie.com
Plot Summary: "Penelope" is the story of a young woman, Penelope Wilhern
(Christina Ricci), born to wealthy socialites (Richard E. Grant and Catherine
O'Hara). Penelope is afflicted by a secret family curse that can only be broken
when she is loved by one of her own kind. Hidden away in the family's majestic
home, she is subjected to meeting a string of blue-bloods through her parent's
futile attempt to marry her off and break the curse. Each suitor is instantly
enamored with Penelope (and her sizable dowry)... until the curse is revealed.
When a willing mate cannot be found, mischievous tabloid reporter Lemon (Peter
Dinklage) hires Max (James McAvoy) to pose as a prospective suitor in hopes of
snapping a photo of the mysterious Penelope. Max, who is really a
down-on-his-luck gambler, finds himself drawn to Penelope and not wanting to
expose or disappoint her, disappears and leaves Lemon in the lurch. Fed up by
this latest betrayal and determined to live life on her own terms, Penelope
breaks free from her family and goes out into the world in search of adventure -
curse be damned.
The feature filmmaking debut of director Mark Palansky, "Penelope" was produced
by Reese Witherspoon, Scott Steindorff, and Jennifer Simpson, and written by
Leslie Caveny
EN 5 Second Review:
Date movie hell for guys, but a charmer nonetheless.
An
entertaining comedy for young girls and older girls who still like a
good romantic fable Kirk Honeycutt: Hollywood Reporter
The makers of "Penelope" pull off a contemporary fairy tale
without being a) a cartoon or b) childish or c) cloying or d)
sophomoric. The movie, ably directed by newcomer Mark Palansky, is smart
about its characters and the not-quite-real world they inhabit...more
If
only "Penelope" knew what it truly wished to be and how to
go about it Gene Seymour: Newsday
"Penelope" looks like a whimsical, quirky little fairy tale
and, every once in a while, sounds like a whimsical, quirky
little fairy tale. There's even an obvious but always
welcome lesson to be learned here. But there's no real rigor
or craft applied to this story...more
EN 5 Second Review:
Date movie hell for guys, but a charmer nonetheless.
If
only "Penelope" knew what it truly wished to be and how to
go about it