Penelope

Jeri Jacquin, MOVIE MAVEN

Opening today in theatres is a modern day love story with a little twist. From Stone Village Pictures comes “Penelope”.

This film is the story of the Wilhern family curse! One upon a time a wealthy young man fell for a simple housemaid. Because of his families thoughts on the matter they never married and the girl fell to her death. The girl’s mother put a curse on the Wilhern family that all girls would be born, shall we say, different.

Many generations come and go until the day that Franklin (Richard E. Grant) and his wife Jessica (Catherine O’Hara) have their own child. Penelope (Cristina Ricci) is born and her mother begins her life long struggle to find love for her different daughter.

One day Penelope, going through her many paid suitors, meets Max (James MacAvoy) and he opens up a world for Penelope. As she escapes into the real world Penelope meets Annie (Reese Witherspoon) a quirky vespa messenger with a view of life all her own.

But Penelope learns the heartache of being different and realizes that she must find within herself that one thing that makes being different a grand thing.

FINAL WORD: Straight out, this is a very cute film. It is definitely family oriented and there is nothing in it that would disturb any parent. The story of Penelope is a slew of lessons on the way people treat one another.

That said, this is definitely a different character for Ricci, it seemed almost reminiscent of her Wednesday character from the “Adams Family” without the wickedness. This is definitely not “Black Snake Moan” part for her.

MacAvoy is charming as ever as Max. He has a presence that just melts your heart but if you have experienced “Becoming Jane” or “Atonement” then you already know what I mean.

Witherspoon is just loveable as Annie, and O’Hara is ridiculously funny as Penelope’s mother.

TUBS OF POPCORN:  I give “Penelope”  2½ tubs of popcorn out of five. Yes, it is a straight story with great morals but it totally predictable with the ‘very happily ever after’ ending that might not be so realistic.

I do enjoy the films tagline of “it is not the power of the curse – but the power you give the curse”. Good advice no matter what your age.