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Directed By
Bharat Nalluri
Written By:
David Magee, Simon Beaufoy, Winifred Watson
Cast:
Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Ciaran Hinds, Mark Strong, Shirley Henderson, Christina Cole, Tom Payne, Beatie Edney, Mo Zinal, Matt Ryan, Silvia Lombardo, Sarah Kants, Clare Clifford, Lee Pace, Katy Murphy, Tim Potter, Stephanie Cole, Ben Wood
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Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)
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Movie Review by Jarrod
March 10th, 2008
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'Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day' is a winning and charming comedy, mainly because it features two wonderful and delightful actresses, Amy Adams and Frances McDormand, a combination that is virtually unbeatable, especially in the wake of Junebug and Enchanted, both of which have greatly increased interest in the pretty and perky Adams, who works well with established veteran McDormand, who as a general rule is worth watching in most anything. Miss Pettigrew, first name Guinevere (McDormand) is a bumbling, luckless woman. She works as a nanny, but keeps getting fired, now finds herself without a job in 1930s Britain, where the effects of the Depression are sorely felt. She ends up (accidentally, or more precisely, surreptitiously) working for Delysia Lafosse (Adams), a young actress and singer on a busy and hectic schedule. Pettigrew gets hired as her social secretary, so she gets to manage Delysia's personal and professional life, and one of her greatest tasks is sorting through Delysia's trio of male suitors. One is always leaving as another is arriving, and none of them can ever meet one another. There is Nick (Mark Strong), Delysia's wealthy landlord, though one must wonder if she pays the rent with something other than money. Next is Phil (Tom Payne), a producer who is considering Delysia for a leading role in his latest show, but apparently needs some additional encouragement. Lastly is Michael (Lee Pace), a handsome and poor piano player with a heart of gold. He is the one Delysia cares about the most, but has the least to offer in material terms.
Miss Pettigrew is out of place in Delysia's world, but she adjusts to it, and they become very close friends. Pettigrew does not necessarily approve of Delysia's multiple love affairs, but helps her handle them nonetheless. And, being older and wiser, she always seems to have some good advice for Delysia. Pettigrew finds a mate for herself, too, Joe (Ciaran Hinds), a fashion designer, but has to contend with the not-so-nice Edythe (Shirley Henderson). The film is warm and funny, with terrific performances, and a hint of gloom in the background, with the Depression (the reality of which never quite manifests itself completely) and the coming outbreak of WWII, does little to diminish the overall cheerfulness. It is largely predictable, and plays like an old-fashioned screwball farce. Lee Pace seems to be channeling Clive Owen. The chemistry between McDormand and Adams is spot-on, and the script allows for some clever, sexually suggestive dialogue that undoubtedly contributed in part to the PG-13 rating.
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