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Penelope (2008)

Penelope Poster

Movie Info


Genre

Drama, Comedy, Fantasy

Release Date

February 29, 2008

MPAA Rating

PG

Duration

102 min.

Studio

Summit Entertainment

Official Site

click here

Critics Reviews :  Nothing's perfect, but it's worth seeing.    Reader's Reviews :  5 of 5 [Rate It]

Cast and Crew


Director

Mark Palansky

Producer

Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Simpson, Scott Steindorff

Screenwriter

Leslie Caveny

Starring

Movie Story


"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.

Movie Stills


Christina Ricci as Penelope in The Weinstein Company's Penelope (2007)
James McAvoy as Max in The Weinstein Company's Penelope (2007)

Reader's Reviews


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A surpising sweet movie that I had not expected to enjoy but wound up loving.

posted by poohbear on Jul 20, 2008
 
 

MOVIE REVIEWS BY CRITICS

“..the story too blandly simplistic to appeal to grown-ups weaned on superior fairy tales..”
by Nick Schager [Slant Magazine]
“..one of the most interesting and flat-out entertaining films..”
by David Nusair [Reel Film]
“..Like a glazed ham on Dec. 24, "Penelope" is sweet but half-baked..”
by Joe Williams [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]