2008 Woodie Awards
Vapid Penelope provides timeless empowerment
Jackie Ammons
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: Entertainment
Penelope is not practical. She has the face of a beautiful wood nymph and the voice of a fairy, but also the pronounced nose of a pig. She lives in a modern world of high technology subdued by 1950s clothing and milk trucks that hearken back to the early twentieth century. Like its principal character, the movie Penelope is neither practical nor provocative enough for thrill-seeking audiences but is perfect for a quiet, simple afternoon viewing.
Afflicted by an ancient family curse, Penelope (Black Snake Moan's Christina Ricci) follows the demands of her aristocratic parents (Monster House's Catherine O'Hara and Corpse Bride's Richard E. Grant) that she cover her pig's nose and ears to hide her secret from the public. Unfortunately, the only way to break the curse and restore her features is to find the one man who will love Penelope for who she is. To discover him, she depends on the help of a sassy new friend (Rendition's Reese Witherspoon), a sensitive musician (Atonement's James McAvoy), a haughty blue blood (Pride and Prejudice's Simon Woods) and a midget reporter (Underdog's Peter Dinklage).
One of the film's interesting assets is its plethora of visual anachronisms. Penelope wears dresses reminiscent of 50 years ago, but her scarf and other accessories are right out of the Gap's latest collection. Her love interest wears an old-fashioned fedora but plays "Ageless Beauty" by Stars. The set also defies time, as Penelope's home looks like an ancient English mansion while the streets resemble a modern-day downtown. Ultimately, these contrasts create a sense of timelessness and allow the viewer to form an unbiased judgment of Penelope's world.
Even more visually stimulating are the actors in Penelope. McAvoy convincingly plays the part of the emotionally unstable musician, and Ricci blossoms out of her childhood roles in Casper and Pumpkin. Even Witherspoon's two-bit appearance as Penelope's uncouth yet thoughtful friend has merit, and she also produces the film.
Afflicted by an ancient family curse, Penelope (Black Snake Moan's Christina Ricci) follows the demands of her aristocratic parents (Monster House's Catherine O'Hara and Corpse Bride's Richard E. Grant) that she cover her pig's nose and ears to hide her secret from the public. Unfortunately, the only way to break the curse and restore her features is to find the one man who will love Penelope for who she is. To discover him, she depends on the help of a sassy new friend (Rendition's Reese Witherspoon), a sensitive musician (Atonement's James McAvoy), a haughty blue blood (Pride and Prejudice's Simon Woods) and a midget reporter (Underdog's Peter Dinklage).
One of the film's interesting assets is its plethora of visual anachronisms. Penelope wears dresses reminiscent of 50 years ago, but her scarf and other accessories are right out of the Gap's latest collection. Her love interest wears an old-fashioned fedora but plays "Ageless Beauty" by Stars. The set also defies time, as Penelope's home looks like an ancient English mansion while the streets resemble a modern-day downtown. Ultimately, these contrasts create a sense of timelessness and allow the viewer to form an unbiased judgment of Penelope's world.
Even more visually stimulating are the actors in Penelope. McAvoy convincingly plays the part of the emotionally unstable musician, and Ricci blossoms out of her childhood roles in Casper and Pumpkin. Even Witherspoon's two-bit appearance as Penelope's uncouth yet thoughtful friend has merit, and she also produces the film.
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