Penelope

This past Friday I went and saw the film Penelope, directed by Mark Palansky and with Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon. The film is excellently casted, with Penelope played by Christina Ricci, Catherine O'Hara as her mother, and James McAvoy as Max, the young man who loved her for who she truly was despite her appearance. One might go in expecting a simple, quick chick flick however the movie has a great morale at the end teaching that looks are not everything to a person and how shallow society has become. It also touches on the obsession of celebrities, and the quick move on after the hype. The film begins with an introduction of the beginning of Penelope's life, transitioning into present day. She is continually set up by a match maker on a quest to break the Wilhern curse. Which states that she will never be rid of her pig nose until she finds "one of her own." Penelope's mother takes this to mean she must fall in love with a blueblood to receive her real nose. This sets up a horrible meeting with a blueblood, who is repulsed by her but proposes because of the media following her. After unsuccessful suitors, terrified by her appearence, Max shows up and likes her for who she is. But he isnt a blueblood, quickly realizes that he can't break her curse and vanishes. Penelope, fed up with hiding, runs away and finds herself in the city. The characters throughout the entire film act superbly, and you can't help but cheer on Penelope on her quest to find herself, and later on Max to find out he loved her all along. With great acting, and great costumes, Penelope is a joy to watch. Another great thing is the way the movie was filmed. While everyone is very modern, the main characters (Penelope and Max) wear a very vintage inspired wadrobe, and the buildings and architecture are reminiscent of the late 1800s giving the film a more magical, fairytale edge. Penelope is a wonderful film showing one person's journey who breaks her curse by finding out she likes herself the way she is. Its inspirational, and you cant help but give Penelope a two thumbs up!