Nothing Can Stop Me Now
'Cause I Don't Care Anymore
Penelope / Agent Bedhead
Originally scheduled for release in 2006, Penelope is a sparkling solitaire, an indistinct breed of gemstone that, for its failure to resemble its peers, suffers mainly for lack of appraisal. The film is at once, in its dazzling colorfulness, like an early Tim Burton film, and also, through the slightest of opaque shades, a little like The Ugly Duckling and Beauty and the Beast. First-time director Mark Palansky carefully avoids wallowing in past tales that carry outdated ideals of princesses, who can only be rescued from themselves by way of a prince. In its own way, Penelope manages to forge its own contemporary fairy tale without an endless rehashing of cutesy, wink-wink meta references towards the audience. By refusing to be shocked into submission by its own purported cleverness, the end result of Penelope is an unusually appealing cinematic creature. This novel approach, although quite invigorating, is unorthodox by the today’s children’s cinema standards, which could explain why Penelope never saw a darkened theater until some clever studio exec realized the newfound box-office potential of Atonement’s James McAvoy. The film’s lesson — about establishing one’s own way in life without necessarily becoming half of a couple — isn’t a disposable one, and in the end, Penelope may just intercept a few impressionable young girls before they fall prey to the homogenized, slut-worthy mindset of today’s Hollywood princesses.
In Penelope, we are told that, long ago, a witch placed a curse upon the aristocratic Wilhern family that would cause their next female child to be born with a pig’s snout. After generations of only male Wilhern children, Penelope (Christina Ricci) is born; her distraught parents, Jessica (Catherine O’Hara) and Franklyn (Richard E. Grant), immediately look toward the day when Penelope’s sizable dowry might attract the love of a fellow blueblood and, presumably, break the curse. In the meantime, Penelope must cope with the fact that, although she is otherwise cute, she has a pig’s snout instead of a human nose. To Penelope’s parents, her physical imperfection is unacceptable, but they soon discover that plastic surgery is not an option. By then, the media catches onto the story and the relentless pursuit for exclusive pictures begins, so Penelope’s parents fake her death. Sequestered inside the family mansion, Penelope grows up with books and stuffed animals for friends, and the lonely girl suffers from the chronically misguided intentions of her overbearing mother. After Penelope comes of age, her mother summons a series of wealthy suitors to woo Penelope through a two-way mirror in the attic library. Most of these cookie-cutter excuses for men fail to impress Penelope, who gets all preemptive on their asses by revealing her visage to weed out the bullshit, so to speak. Once these shallow men, with last names like Vanderman, Vandermark, and Vanderlinden, see Penelope’s face, they take flight, hurling themselves through an upper-story glass window. One of these shallow suitors, Edward Vanderman Jr. (Simon Woods), escapes before he signs the obligatory gag order, but when he tells the tale of his encounter with a hideous monster, the public, quite rightfully, labels Edward a lunatic. Of course, Penelope doesn’t actually resemble a monster; she’s just a very cute girl with one prominently unattractive feature.
Max (James McAvoy) is the disheveled, unlikely Prince Charming of the bunch and the only suitor who doesn’t run screaming when Penelope appears in the room. As a down-and-out blueblood, Max has been enlisted by Lemon (Peter Dinklage), a one-eyed midget reporter with a grudge, and Edward, who seeks to clear his newfound reputation as a hysterical dipshit. Penelope immediately takes notice of Max’s ruffian ways, and through their initial blind courtship, he realizes that he cannot expose this wonderful girl to the tabloids. However, this story doesn’t settle for the automagic, happily-ever-after bullshit, so Penelope and Max don’t really work out as a couple. By then, Penelope decides that she’s had enough of her mother’s preconceived vision of happiness, so the girl throws a scarf over her face and escapes from her prison of a home.
At this point, the film switches gears into a rather remarkable trip of Penelope’s adjustment to the outside world, a timeless version of London where the accents are, at times, inconsistent and wholly American but give the story a timeless, ephemeral feel. The bulk of the film consists of Penelope’s development of self and establishment of her own values based upon her reactions to that world. Naturally, the outside world also reacts to Penelope, and, in that regard, the film nicely works a bit of satire on celebrity culture. Palansky makes the most of the magical feel of a very sharp screenplay by Leslie Caveny, but the film never fully recovers from an abrupt delineation between the two acts that could prove disorienting for many children.
Whatever flaws the film suffers as a whole, the performances are solid throughout. In the role of Penelope, it’s difficult to imagine any actress other than Ricci, who herself has always been considered something of a beautiful freak that endures many idiotic comments about the size of her forehead. Ricci continues to display the sheer awesomeness of her range as an actress and a rare example of a former child star who has actually kept her shit together through the decades. Producer Reese Witherspoon appears in a minor role as Annie, a Vespa-driving, swaggering punk-rock messenger girl. As Penelope’s first real friend, Witherspoon plays Annie expectantly well but takes care not to distract from the film’s main character. As Penelope’s parents, the comically overstated O’Hara is nicely balanced by the Grant’s take on a father in damage-control mode. Finally, James McAvoy is elusively charming as Max, the renegade blueblood who inspires Penelope to discover and conquer the world by her own volition.
Penelope is a film that somehow avoids becoming nauseatingly sweet but can still capture all ages of hardened hearts. Although the film ends predictably, Penelope arrives at its conclusion in the most unexpected and rather remarkable ways. Still, people will probably complain about the lack of surprise towards the end, and I’d be willing to bet that these are the exact same people, who, after sex, immediately roll over and fall asleep. Watching a film shouldn’t just be about achieving that almighty climax. The lost art of foreplay often yields some much needed exploration. This film probably won’t receive the attention that it deserves, but it is worthy of recognition and carries a valid lesson. Perhaps, more importantly, Penelope contains no jokes or references to bodily functions, and that fact, right there, is spellbinding all on its own.
Agent Bedhead (a.k.a. “Kimberly”) lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She and her little black heart can be found at agentbedhead.com.
Lost: The Constant | | Pajiba Love 03/03/08
Comments
First, bitches!
Posted by: Harry Knowles at March 3, 2008 2:33 PM
Oh Thank God! It's 1:36 and finally something worth commenting on (I HATE Lost).
No one does "over-bearing" mother quite like Catherine O'Hara, I would see it for that alone.
May I also mention that since I learned to read before I was exposed to a lot of TV and film, I went about for almost 10 years thinking Penelope was pronounced to rhyme with antelope?
Posted by: PaddyDog at March 3, 2008 2:39 PM
It feels like I'm seeing McAvoy everywhere these days, and I fucking LOVE it. Can't sait to see this one.
Posted by: em at March 3, 2008 2:46 PM
It's an appropriate typo but:
"After Penelope comes of age, her mother summons a series of wealthy suitors to woo Penelope TROUGH a two-way mirror in the attic library."
Posted by: Megan at March 3, 2008 2:46 PM
Penelope contains no jokes or references to bodily functions.
I didn't even know they made these kinds of movies anymore. How on earth did it get financed?
Posted by: llism at March 3, 2008 2:47 PM
May I also mention that since I learned to read before I was exposed to a lot of TV and film, I went about for almost 10 years thinking Penelope was pronounced to rhyme with antelope?
Wow, talk about coinkydink. Christina Ricci was on Conan Friday promoting the movie, and she told a similar story about how (due to her own books-in-place-of-TV upbringing) she tended to mispronounce words. She thought the word "chaos" was "Cha-ohs" (with the h unsilent) until she was 11.
Glad to hear the movie is worth watching. I was touched by the trailer, but I was afraid it could go so easily wrong.
Posted by: Vermillion at March 3, 2008 2:57 PM
I've heard this same argument about people waiting for the climax/twist in M. Night Shaymalan movies; and I do agree with you that it shouldn't be about the climax and nothing more. Even when the ending is predictable, if the performances are strong and the plot makes sense, I can handle it.
PaddyDog, I pronounced it that way, too. I think after I heard of Penelope Ann Miller, I learned the proper way to say it. Also agree w/ the Catherine O'Hara love. After seeing her in Orange County, I couldn't get her drunken-but-loving performance out of my head.
Posted by: Brie at March 3, 2008 3:04 PM
Wicked review! I've been looking forward to this movie ever since I saw the trailer for the first time. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ricci and Witherspoon gets a bad rap sometimes but I adore her too. Glad to know this movie is good in the same way Stardust is good....a very well done fantasy/fairytale that while conforming to the rules, does not grow beyond them. Can't wait to see it.
Posted by: SashaCA2 at March 3, 2008 3:06 PM
sorry that should have been "well done fantasy/fairytale that DOES grow beyond the rules"
Posted by: SashaCA2 at March 3, 2008 3:06 PM
llism, I think it was financed predominantly by Reese Witherspoon, and even then it couldn't get distribution until James McAvoy's star was well on the rise. And I'm so glad, because I've been looking forward to this one since I heard about it a year ago. It just seems so charming. I think it would be nice to be charmed by a movie again.
Posted by: Smithy at March 3, 2008 3:08 PM
a one-eyed midget reporter with a grudge
...if this description were applicable to every movie my life would be one big carousel of poppy fields, talking kittens, and sex with Hugh Jackman.
Posted by: Julie at March 3, 2008 3:14 PM
Damn...and here I was hoping for slut-worthy princesses.
Posted by: ScarletKnight at March 3, 2008 3:30 PM
Pure excitement from me.
I saw this at the 2006 film festival... and it was bloody beautiful.
James McAvoy didn't come, but Peter Dinklage did, as did Ricci and Witherspoon and Simon Woods. I mildly recognized Woods from Pride and Prejudice but didn't want to freak him out by being the only person in the room to go all loving fan on him.
Then I saw him in Rome and I've been crying that I didn't initiate conversation ever since. He's brill.
Posted by: Ling at March 3, 2008 3:32 PM
And there was me thinking it must have been crap, it beeing on the shelf for so long, and in the uk before the us; the last is usually a bad sign if the film's American produced. See also Run fat boy run (or rather don't; Simon Pegg does deserve much love, but he does need to be shown when he makes a wrong move, such as starring in a movie co written with Michael Ian Black -who also wrote the crappy, also uk before us released Wedding Daze-)
Posted by: cockroach at March 3, 2008 3:36 PM
So here's some fodder for you too-cool-for-school pajibans (damn, thatsalottaohs):
I love Reese. I love Christina.
And I love Mandy.
Agent, this was a nice little review. I'm all about the anti-fantasy fantasy.
Posted by: boo at March 3, 2008 3:42 PM
Oh and thank you for that lovely Trent shout-out, Agent. That song makes me happy in my special place.
(my ears, obvs.)
Posted by: boo at March 3, 2008 3:45 PM
I was hoping Ella, Enchanted would be this movie but obviously no - the trailer looked interesting. I'm glad to see it's something new.
Posted by: twig at March 3, 2008 3:46 PM
I'm not sure if it's residual adoration of her portrayal of Wednesday Addams, or my school-girl obsession with Now and Then, but I really love Ricci too.
Posted by: Julie at March 3, 2008 3:46 PM
Julie: I just want to hang with them and makes pies or something, you know?
Maybe smoke a joint and THEN make pies.
I need a vacation.
Posted by: boo at March 3, 2008 3:48 PM
well whadya know Wedding Daze did so poorly in the UK, it never got released in cinemas stateside. And Run fatboy run does keep being bumped to later and later in the US (I'm monitoring perversely, I want to see how it get ripped to shreds here)
One good thing about run fatboy run is Dylan Moran; I bet he ad libbed most if not all his lines, they're so much better than what everybody else says
Posted by: cockroach at March 3, 2008 3:49 PM
@PaddyDog: That is adorable. I had many of the same pronunciation issues because I read early and grew up without TV. Read a lot of classics early on and before any foreign language exposure, was never sure how to pronounce beaux, among other words.
Posted by: JRD at March 3, 2008 3:49 PM
I totally agree Boo...I want to hang out with Ricci and make margaritas, talk about boys, and watch a ridiculous movie from my childhood that I still love, like High Spirits or Tale of the Bunny Picnic. :)
Posted by: Julie at March 3, 2008 3:56 PM
I hadn't even heard of this movie until this weekend. I had some doubts about it (especially since I knew almost nothing about it), but was willing to see it only because I love Christina Ricci..I'd watch her darn socks as long as she looked at me with those big anime eyes.
I'm glad to hear this movie isn't the schlock they're pretending is good movies nowadays. I have noticed that frequently when an actor or actress does their own movie (produce, write, direct), the majority of the time it turns out to be better than the B-grade movies we get from holly-wishes-it-could. And this was a very good review. Off to the movies...I'm actually excited about this now!
Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at March 3, 2008 4:03 PM
If the title is a reference to Nine Inch Nails, you're my new favorite person (and if you're a fan, NIN just released a new instrumental album last night online...brilliant!)
And, although I've heard mixed things about Penelope, I am a loyal Pajiba-ite and I generally agree with your reviews ;)
Posted by: lux at March 3, 2008 4:15 PM
Great review, and a beautiful opening paragraph.
I really wanted to read a good review about this movie and I'm just dying to see it.
From the previews I can also tell that Witherspoon isn't going to annoy me in this film, from what little I can see of her performance it feels reminiscent of her earlier film days.
Posted by: citizen_cris at March 3, 2008 4:21 PM
heeheehee
I really liked this movie. Though I did spend some time wondering where I'd seen Simon Woods before (It's Mr. Bingley!), I totally enjoyed seeing McAvoy and Dinklage running about.
I have always loved fairy tales, particularly when people mess around with them, and this one is no different. The movie did remind me, however, about my gripes (sp?) with romantic stories where the the guy and girl interact during the first act but hardly see each other until the last act. It isn't until the end where I realize that they must have actually fallen in love within those first few days (or minutes or whatever) and that those moment were really all there was to the relationship. Hmmmmm... In this regards, Penelope wasn't too bad and the relationship did withstand the distance between the two characters, but that's mostly because it is a fanatasy and all in good fun.
Posted by: Kjalepepper at March 3, 2008 4:21 PM
I'm so excited to see this now! From the trailer it looked good, but I wasn't sold until now.
Also, I think mispronunciation is pretty common for children that like to read. I learned to read when I was pretty young and I always thought that's why I had trouble with pronunciation.
Posted by: IamKateness at March 3, 2008 4:23 PM
Julie: I just want to hang with them and makes pies or something, you know?
Maybe smoke a joint and THEN make pies.
Is that all? You sure you don't want to do something else? Or is that just Angie that deserves it?
Also, thank you for acknowledging the inanity of those who complain about Ricci's forehead. I think she is quite attractive, even when I am looking at her face and not...elsewhere.
Seeing as how I was criminally left out of all the filthiness before (plus, that sootikin nonsense ruined the vibe from Boleyn), I am going to do my damndest to porn up this thread. Who is with me?
Posted by: Vermillion at March 3, 2008 4:23 PM
I am going to do my damndest to porn up this thread. Who is with me?
I will, If I get acknowledged for my contribution to the pornyness this time
/not that I'm bitter or anything
//Wrashanfrathun!
Posted by: cockroach at March 3, 2008 4:28 PM
I concur, Vermillion, Ricci is really pretty in that kewpie-doll sort of Bernadette Peters way. She wouldn't bring taco dip to an orgy though, she'd likely bust out the absinthe and hot wax.
Posted by: Julie at March 3, 2008 4:29 PM
Penelope Porked is too damn obvious, isn't it? Yeah
Posted by: cockroach at March 3, 2008 4:30 PM
Posted by: Vermillion at March 3, 2008 4:23 PM
You can count on me, Vermillion. And I completely agree with the Ricci sentiment...she has a beautiful face. Even when I'm not looking at it.
Julie, I don't even want to know how a one-eyed midget reporter with a grudge will make your life complete.
Posted by: Porny Pony of Dakaron at March 3, 2008 4:31 PM
"...she'd likely bust out the absinthe and hot wax."
Hot damn. We gotta invite her now.
Posted by: Porny Pony of Dakaron at March 3, 2008 4:33 PM
"Julie, I don't even want to know how a one-eyed midget reporter with a grudge will make your life complete."
You really don't. :p
Posted by: Hot Twat McGriddle at March 3, 2008 4:34 PM
Does the review title come from NIN "Piggy"?
Just curious.
Posted by: Melody at March 3, 2008 4:41 PM
So... um... I know this is gonna sound weird, especially coming from me, but could we maybe try not to deliberately derail the comments sections?
It's one thing if it happens naturally, after much of the debating and movie-related stuff has been addressed, but to intentionally do it... I don't know, it seems like it belittles the efforts of the reviewer a bit, and maybe drives away the people who really just want to talk about movies. Considering we have the Pajiba Love and round-up sections as avenues for more extensive goof-offery...
Just a thought.
Posted by: TK at March 3, 2008 4:42 PM
Vermillion: GLEET to you. Look it up.
Posted by: BWeaves at March 3, 2008 4:45 PM
:::chagrined::: yes sir. I'll try to be good from now on.
Although it should be noted I did talk about the movie and review earlier up there somewhere.
Melody - yup, that's the NIN song the lyrics are from.
Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at March 3, 2008 4:45 PM
Don't listen to Sweater Vest McGee. We all know the positive reviews tend to peter out without some sort of game.
Posted by: Vermillion at March 3, 2008 4:48 PM
Awesome! I've had a girl-crush on Ricci since Casper, and a straight up crush on McAvoy since The Last King of Scotland, I'm excited this movie doesn't suck.
Posted by: agente provocatrice at March 3, 2008 4:50 PM
TK: Bravo. I sure as hell wasn't going to say anything because I have no thread cred yet. (although the creation term "thread cred" might very well give me some...)
Posted by: Ling at March 3, 2008 4:51 PM
Meant to say, "although the creation OF the term"
Posted by: Ling at March 3, 2008 4:52 PM
So, is this movie more of an indie thing or a mainstream thing? I just want to know at which of my local movie theatres I should be looking for it to arrive.
Of course, considering how infrequently I seem to actually make it to the movies, I'm guessing there's a good chance I'll probably be renting this. It does sound like a lovely movie to see after a long day at work and/or miserable end-of-winter/beginning-of-what-they-call-"spring"-around-here day.
Posted by: tamatha at March 3, 2008 4:53 PM
Good point TK. On topic: I saw Definitely, Maybe this weekend (I know, it was charming I swear), and it was definitely the perfect romantic appetizer to prepare me for this movie. I have an affinity for romances revolving around outcasts, my sappy side gets all weepy.
Posted by: Julie at March 3, 2008 4:54 PM
I sure as hell wasn't going to say anything because I have no thread cred yet.
Ling! No thread cred needed, put us in our filthy places :)
Posted by: Julie at March 3, 2008 4:55 PM
Julie "bring taco dip to an orgy"? Wow... I just have to know, was that on purpose, or am I a giant perv for reading too much into it?
Shadows of Dakaron I am totally stealing "holly-wishes-it-could". Pure awesomeness.
Anyway, I have never heard of this movie, but it looks good. I too have a giant girl crush on Ricci. (It was Addams Family, totally)
Posted by: Theresa at March 3, 2008 4:59 PM
Hehe...the subject of a prior heavily diverted thread, Theresa. And yes, it was most definately on purpose. Julie doesn't kid around when she makes taco dip.
Ack! I'm being good, honest!
Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at March 3, 2008 5:04 PM
Theresa, it was on purpose, we have a running gag of orgies and taco dip...ACTUAL taco dip, not...another kind. But you're still a perv :)
How I love The Addams Family, I wish Raul Julia was still around. He made such a gleeful Gomez.
Posted by: Julie at March 3, 2008 5:05 PM
Good, I thought it looked cute. And it would be funny to see the Mcavoyers reactions to the movie.
Posted by: Kamakaze Feminist at March 3, 2008 5:06 PM
TK:
Thank you. I like a good organic thread digression, but some digressions have seemed rather forced lately and were in danger of putting Pajiba on a one-track theme which frankly would have devalued the site for me.
On really good twists on fantasy, check out A.S. Byatt's "Little Black Book of Stories". You will not be sorry.
Posted by: PaddyDog at March 3, 2008 5:09 PM
A.S. Byatt's "Little Black Book of Stories"
Ooh, I'm adding that to my list of future library books. Though it really has no common thread with Penelope, I keep flashing back to reading Tom Robbins' "Still Life With Woodpecker." Maybe it's the strange reclusive princess thing...whatever it is it makes me want to see this even more.
Posted by: Julie at March 3, 2008 5:13 PM
On really good twists on fantasy, check out A.S. Byatt's "Little Black Book of Stories". You will not be sorry.
That actually sounds familiar. I might have read that when I was younger...or something that sounds like it. I'm gonna have to go look that up.
I loved John Astin, I really did. The original series was great to watch growing up. That being said, there will always be a hole in my heart where Raul Julia's Gomez was.
Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at March 3, 2008 5:16 PM
Mmm...James McAvoy
Posted by: Kevin Longrie at March 3, 2008 5:21 PM
It took me reading every comment thus far to "get" the connection between the Piggy lyrics and this movie.
Hey! She has a big snout and the title of the song..is.....wow.
I fail at today.
Posted by: Dingles at March 3, 2008 5:30 PM
Mispronunciation is common amongst children, because they're stupid.
This is why we correct them.
Posted by: Jo 'Mama' Besser at March 3, 2008 5:34 PM
"Still, people will probably complain about the lack of surprise towards the end, and I'd be willing to bet that these are the exact same people, who, after sex, immediately roll over and fall asleep. Watching a film shouldn't just be about achieving that almighty climax."
Awesome awesome awesome.
Posted by: Ginger at March 3, 2008 5:35 PM
Oh *sigh* I love Catherine O'Hara!
I have always liked Christina Ricci. Perhaps because she's the only other person I know with an Aslan tat? I liked her way back in Mermaids, for godsakes. I never was into Winona Ryder. Cher, though...
I have to turn in my Pajiba library card after the Cher thing, don't I? Seriously, though, did nobody else love her in Silkwood? I wanted her and Meryl to hook up.
What??
Posted by: VampireNomad at March 3, 2008 5:48 PM
Jo 'Mama' Besser:
I may be missing the irony in your comment, but in case not, surely mispronunciation amongst children is a reflection of the natural process they go through in trying out words and matching them to what they already know (and therefore actually quite systematic and logical)? I find it quite endearing and not at all stupid. Stupid is an entirely different thing that usually kicks in around about the teenage years.
Posted by: PaddyDog at March 3, 2008 5:49 PM
I'm glad to see Penelope got a good review, but that's not why I'm commenting. I just wanted to thank Pajiba for quoting a NIN song in the title of this article. Pajiba, I love you just that much more.
Posted by: maria at March 3, 2008 6:05 PM
PaddyDog,
You should have heard what I did in my head to the name "Hermione" - and "paradigm" was another word sounding spectacularly different to the way it does in the real world. I think kids get pronunciation wrong due to a general shinking in vocabulary at school and in all media they connect with.
Like, you know?
Posted by: general rhubarb at March 3, 2008 6:18 PM
General Rhubarb:
"Hermione" was one of mine as well (and "Ariadne"). Another one that plagues me to this day is "awry". I thought when things "went awry" it meant they were full of awe and therefore pronounced it "awe-ry". In my case however, it wasn't school or media. I was reading before going to school and making up my own pronunciations as I went along and as for media, when we were children, my parents had a telly with only one channel (state-sponsored) and it was only turned on for one children's show a day or anything political (which pretty much meant it was on all the time, but not on channels a four year old would watch).
Oddly enough though I just knew there would be a lot of fellow mispronouncers here at Pajiba and I'll bet it has to do with people who are prone to early reading.
Posted by: PaddyDog at March 3, 2008 6:26 PM
Ah! my expectations are met. Even if it had turned out quite awful, I still would have seen it though. james McAvoy is some damn good eye candy (and talent of course); I have to watch ALL of his movies.
Posted by: Rebecca at March 3, 2008 6:32 PM
YAY! I saw this movie this weekend and loved it; seeing a good review on this site makes me feel validated. (What can I say? It's Monday and I'll take what I can get.)
Posted by: LB at March 3, 2008 6:35 PM
I am fond of both bacon and Ricci, therefore, I am destined to see this movie. I also find that the Riccibrow is nicely balanced by the Witherchin.
Should anyone in the theater give me a second glance, I will dole out several throat-punches to whomever happens to be in the vicinity of my fists.
Great review. I thought this thing was gonna suck some serious ass. I'm glad to be wrong. This time... ONLY this time.
Posted by: Skittimus Maximus at March 3, 2008 6:45 PM
Jo 'Mama' Besser I think you're confusing the meaning of the word "stupid" with that of the word "ignorant." Kids who mispronounce things because they're well read (my big public screw up was "grandiose") can almost always use the word in the correct context, they're just ignorant of the proper pronunciation, usually because the words aren't ones that are likely to come up in general conversation.
More on track, this movie sounds delightful. I adore Ricci for so many reasons and it's really hard to go wrong with McAvoy.
Posted by: telesilla at March 3, 2008 6:47 PM
Excellent review. Sounds like something I can actually tolerate while viewing with the wife.
Minor nit to be picked:
..."Ricci, who herself has always been considered something of a beautiful freak that endures many idiotic comments..."
'That' is for things, 'who' is for people.
Posted by: Spork at March 3, 2008 6:49 PM
Oh wow, this finally came out? I saw a trailer for this when I went to see... Bridge to Terabithia, I think, and then it just seemed to disappear. I have the day off this coming Friday - I believe I'll use it to go see this movie.
I skipped the plot summary in the review (I'd rather see it unfold for myself), but from the rest of the review, it sounds like this might be one of those rare movies that, although perhaps ostensibly aimed at children or young teenagers, doesn't condescend to or patronize its audience - and thus can be appreciated by adults as well. I have a soft spot for those.
Posted by: Mentalepsy at March 3, 2008 7:00 PM
I broke up my girlcrush with Ricci after Sleepy Hollow. She was gawdoffahl.
I might have to see Penelope. Thanks for the great review, Agent B.
Posted by: monkeyhateclean at March 3, 2008 8:29 PM
Oh, man, I was the worst at pronouncing things!
It's one of those knacks that early readers develop where you know what the word means, but you just kinda skim over the actual sound of it in your internal monologue.
mine were gaol (literally until middle school), draught, ciao and names (penelope definitely).
oh, and i used to think "for all intents and purposes" was "for all intensive purposes"
Posted by: Sarah at March 3, 2008 9:17 PM
Never heard of Penelope 'til now, looks as though I might have to check it out. Bless you, Pajiba, bless you and all your vital organs.
Posted by: Lola at March 3, 2008 9:21 PM
I used to mispronounce chaos as cha-os when I was little as well...to this day if I type it, I say it that way in my head to make myself laugh.
And though I hate to admit it, I only recently learned the correct way to say jicama. This from a huge Iron Chef fan. :)
I love Sleppy Hollow, but Ricci in that film is more of an afterthought, Johnny Depp is so charming and bumbling as Ichabod Crane. Plus the score and set design are hauntingly gorgeous, I can't help but be drawn to a movie that reeks so much of Burton.
Posted by: Julie at March 3, 2008 9:24 PM
Sleepy Hollow...hee.
Posted by: Julie at March 3, 2008 9:25 PM
Hee. Sarah:
I just got an e-mail the other day from a client that included the phrase "to all intensive purposes" in just the same way.
Posted by: PaddyDog at March 3, 2008 9:32 PM
Some reasons why I don't like entertainment weekly:
1) When they started posting their reviews online and allowing comments they got super hurt feelings about commentators making fun of them. Seriously, they actually wrote an article about it and how hard it is to have people be mean to you when you're just trying to do your job and what if WE made fun of you at YOUR job, etc.
2) Some of the movie/TV show reviewers are lost by the most simple of plots (note: I am NOT talking about Doc Jenson, who rocks). No article, even a web article, from a supposedly professional entertainment mag should say things like, "I don't know, I was confused, I'll let you discuss it and get back to me". Isn't that YOUR job?
3) Here's the review of Penelope:
"Is there anything more dull than an ineptly cynical fairy tale? As Penelope, an aristocratic brat who's the victim of a family curse (and no, it's not the egregious overacting of Catherine O'Hara and Richard E. Grant as her parents), Christina Ricci plays a girl with the nose of a pig. Sadly, the actress is so charmless in Penelope that we can't look at her and see inner beauty. She's just a snouted cipher. Escaping the prison of her family mansion, Penelope becomes a tabloid superstar freak in a plot that grinds along with a camp garishness that leaves one not merely bored but disenchanted. F".
4) Penelope = F, yet The Other Boleyn Girl = B.
Posted by: Stacy at March 3, 2008 9:33 PM
Watching a film shouldn't just be about achieving that almighty climax. The lost art of foreplay often yields some much needed exploration.
Uh-oh....self-reflection time. I had absolutely no desire to see this movie, but reading the review has piqued my interest. And the above quoted sealed the deal for me. I have a habit of being annoyed by predictable movie endings, even if I enjoyed most of the film. Reading that last paragraph touched a nerve for me, and I will certainly learn to enjoy "foreplay" more often. Who knew I was a "quickie" type of gal? I'm so ashamed! I'm supposed to be DEEP, damn it. Acknowledgement is the first step toward recovery. Thanks, AB!
Posted by: Daphne at March 3, 2008 9:35 PM
Also, I am tired of seeing that shitty American Apparel dress. Any dress that makes a size -1 look like she's missed a few periods but hasn't figured it out yet isn't going to look good on anyone who gazes longingly at sandwhiches from time to time.
Posted by: Stacy at March 3, 2008 9:35 PM
Not only am I a "quickie" type of gal, I didn't realize it wasn't "for all intensive purposes." Although, "for all intents and purposes" makes a helluva lot more sense. Hee. I've learned so much about myself today.
Posted by: Daphne at March 3, 2008 9:40 PM
All I can think of is that terrible Broken Arrow movie - Club Dredd. One of the main characters has a terrible accent and calls his girlfriend "PEEN-a-lope" the entire time and that is the first thing that popped into my mind.
And I feel like I should see this just because I still don't get the McAvoy love. I must learn.
But I do love C. Ricci. Especially in her Addams Family heyday before she tried to go all weird and slutty for a while and stuck with just being weird. I think she's super pretty in a weird way and I want her to run with it (as she is so clearly doing in this movie).
Posted by: Anne (in Reno) at March 3, 2008 9:53 PM
Stacy-ha! I clicked on the American Apparel ad the other day out of curiousity and was horrifed but not shocked to see that pretty much their entire collection of dresses look like something you would have seen worn by the Fly Girls of In Living Color back in 1993. Cheap and spandexy, god knows that's how I like to look at a club.
And though I do love my Entertainment Weekly (although more and more I realize that I could write more interesting articles...Jessica Shaw should not be allowed near a computer), I was a little annoyed at how vitrolic the reviewer was in their condemnation of Penelope.
Posted by: Julie at March 3, 2008 10:00 PM
I have to say, I really have no interest in this movie. Nothing against your review Agent, 'twas lovely. Everything should be predisposing me to liking it: the McAvoy, Ricci, good review, etc etc. Just leaves me cold. Am I the only one with a heart not thawed out by lovable adult fairy tales?
Posted by: Leacock at March 3, 2008 10:04 PM
Ah, yes, the mispronounced words...my biggies were "wholly" (I always thought it "wally"), misled (for whatever reason, I thought it was "mizled," like along the lines of "bamboozled") and "Aristotelian." "Run like the wind!"
Posted by: Geetch at March 3, 2008 11:23 PM
I just saw this yesterday, and loved it. It was very enjoyable, and just very sweet. Christina Ricci and James McAvoy had tremendous chemistry, and I totally covet Penelope's wardrobe. A Sunday afternoon well-spent! Glad to see this get a good review!
Posted by: Jenne at March 3, 2008 11:41 PM
The only reason why I hesitate (Penelope sounds like the kind of YA lit. I would still read) is because of Catherine O'Hara and Richard E. Grant.
Shouldn't they be starring in whole series of splendid films, which would be strengthened and nurtured by their massive talent? Shouldn't all films star Catherine O'Hara or Richard E. Grant?
Instead, they are perfectly nice little supporting players in perfectly nice little films like this. Jeez.
Dear Stacy: thanks for that review. Yikes. Do you think they employ any non-assholes at EW?
Posted by: Janis at March 4, 2008 3:42 AM
Just wanted to add my voice to the people who were made rather happy by the Nine Inch Nails reference in the article title. Glad to see I'm not the only one who loves me some sleazy-electro-industrial-angst-rock.
Also, on the subject of pronunciations - I have always been curious as to how the word 'Anathema' is pronounced, as I have never, ever heard it said out loud. I only know of its existence through Good Omens (specifically, a character in the novel named Anathema Device, apparently becuase her mother thought it had a nice ring to it), and, of course, the British northern doom metal band of the same name.
Anyone who could clear that up for me would gain my everlasting love and respect.
Posted by: Dill The Devil at March 4, 2008 3:54 AM
Dictionary.com pronounces Anathema as:
uh-NATH-uh-muh
Hope that helps. :-D
Posted by: jdrago at March 4, 2008 4:10 AM
*doffs cap to jdrago*
Ta very much! I feel quite gratified now, since that's the way I always heard it in my head (there was a brief period where I thought it may be anna-thee-ma, but that just didn't seem right).
Posted by: Dill The Devil at March 4, 2008 4:37 AM
Nice to see all the Catherine O'Hara love here! She cracks me up, especially in Christopher Guest mode. I also feel a certain kinship with her; not only is she a fellow Canadian, but we share the same birthday.
Which is today.
Good grief, I am 30. Time to take my creaky old bones to work and wallow in self-pity....
Posted by: MO at March 4, 2008 5:30 AM
I've always had something of a talent for pronounciation (yes, I was the irritating brat correcting people during English class reading assignments - I hate myself for it now) but strangely enough my one word weirndess was "Penelope" - it appears we are more alike than we first thought PaddyDog, oh Internet Mother of mine. "Little Black Book of Stories" sounds interesting, I'll add it to the stack, I have an obsession with re-workings of fairy tales (Gaiman's Snow, Glass, Apples remains one of my absolute favourite short stories, and forms part of the basis for my next tattoo. I'm also about to pick up Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber from which I expect great things as I adore her.)
I read Good Omens aloud to my Mother (it's a thing we have) and misread Anathema the first time as "Anamathema" - the name stuck and although we know it's wrong I can't think of her any other way.
Back to the subject at hand: I was actually unconvinced when I saw the marketing for this movie, but the review has convinced me otherwise. I think this might just be perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
Oh and TK? Thanks.
Posted by: Alex the Odd at March 4, 2008 7:07 AM
"and I'd be willing to bet that these are the exact same people, who, after sex, immediately roll over and fall asleep."
Great great review. I think this is your best, your most well written, descriptive, and endearing.
It IS about the foreplay sometimes, and I would be willing to sit through an hour and a half of fabulous foreplay if it included James McAvoy and Ricci.
Posted by: Rachael at March 4, 2008 8:13 AM
MO: Many happy returns!
AtO: Next time I re-read Good Omens (which won't be too far from now, since I seem to read it every couple of months or so), I'm so going to be reading "Anamathema" for Anathema now - which could well increase the snort-of-laughter:page ratio further than it's ever been before.
Posted by: Dill The Devil at March 4, 2008 8:14 AM
MO, Happy Birthday. 30 is creeping up on me too, But remember, our thirties are like the new 20s! Hahahahaha, what a scary, ridiculous, evil thought.
Posted by: Rachael at March 4, 2008 8:15 AM
Oh, and Spork, that and who can be used interchangeably. I always thought so too, that 'that' is for things and 'who' is for people, but then I started to edit some journal articles and found out otherwise. It totally blew my mind.
Posted by: Rachael at March 4, 2008 8:20 AM
Happy B'day, MO.
Now you can't do any childish stuff ever again until you're forty, so enjoy.
Posted by: Adere at March 4, 2008 8:33 AM
After reading so many reviews that just skewered this movie, it was nice to read one that is positive. While not perfect, it is a cute movie with an interesting take on fairy tales. And, hello, James McAvoy is totally adorable.
Posted by: Melissa at March 4, 2008 8:38 AM
ATO:
There's definitely an affinity there. Your position in my Will improves every day. Note: if you are approached by four small Irish toddlers, run like hell. Your newly acquired rights to my wealth is making my nieces and nephews very nervous.
Posted by: PaddyDog at March 4, 2008 11:16 AM
Oh, fine, since we're admitting stuff:
I pronounced "Phoebe" as "Fobe" while reading... into my mid-teens.
Posted by: Maryscott O'Connor at March 4, 2008 11:36 AM
Happy birthday MO!!
Posted by: Julie at March 4, 2008 11:39 AM
Welcome to the club of thirty-somethings, MO.
Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at March 4, 2008 11:43 AM
On the subject of mispronouncing words, "chaos" and "chasm" definitely got me--chasm continues to be mispronounced to this day.
Also, I absolutely cannot pronounce "indict" (or indicted) the correct way in my head--I always read it as if the "c" actually exists (i.e., indikted). Really, if it's pronounced like "indited," why not just spell it that way?
And in high school Russian class I had to pronounce bourgeoisie (and although I had several years of French under my belt) completely mangled it, only to be corrected by my fellow students (and I believe, giggled at). But that one, at least, I get right these days.
Posted by: tamatha at March 4, 2008 11:53 AM
"May I also mention that since I learned to read before I was exposed to a lot of TV and film, I went about for almost 10 years thinking Penelope was pronounced to rhyme with antelope?"
I had the same problem with Egypt when I was...about four or five. I believe I pronounced it as Ee-gah-pnt.
That said, I'm really looking forward to seeing this, I have such love for Christina Ricci and she's in so few movies.
Posted by: Renee at March 4, 2008 2:35 PM
After generations of only male Wilhern children, Penelope (Christina Ricci)...
Sold.
Posted by: that bees chick at March 4, 2008 2:44 PM
I saw this last night and it was very good. I highly reccommend it.
Posted by: mjune at March 4, 2008 3:19 PM
or recommend, ya know, same thing.
Posted by: mjune at March 4, 2008 3:22 PM
Oh good, I was terrified that this movie would suck, after the last few suck-vortexes that Ricci's movies have been (Home of the Brave, Cursed, BLACK SNAKE MOAN) but Penelope sounds like a very fun movie that I'll enjoy. Not that another Monster wouldn't have been fine, but I really prefer chipper movies, thankyouverymuch.
Posted by: bons at March 4, 2008 5:35 PM
Hey, thanks for the birthday wishes, everybody!
So far, my 30s have sucked: I spent the day hauling 20L pails of water through the woods for a work project, and my back is killing me. However, job's done now, and the decade can only get better from here!
I missed my usual frequent forays into Pajibaland, too. Must catch up on some reviews now!
Posted by: MO at March 4, 2008 6:35 PM
No, I know what I meant.
Can't it be both?
Posted by: Jo 'Mama' Besser at March 4, 2008 9:30 PM
TAMATHA: Chasm as well. I still want to say it the way I imagined it was...
By the way, was I the only one growing up who had a Penelope Pig doll?
I loved it... Alot.
Posted by: yazikus at March 4, 2008 10:20 PM
Rachel, I disagree completely.
http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/whoVwhVt.asp
I welcome a cited correction, even a link to a Grammar Girl episode if one exists.
Posted by: Spork at March 5, 2008 7:07 AM
I just got back from seeing this movie, and I really enjoyed it. The script is a little clumsy at times and could have used a little more length and polish, but overall I found it to be a very charming and positive movie. It's sad to see the poor rating it's gotten over at rotten tomatoes.
Posted by: Mentalepsy at March 6, 2008 7:34 PM
I don't know what I did to please the universe, but this is something like the 14th James McAvoy movie to be released in the last 2 years. Having been a rabid fangirl since Chronicle of Narnia, it's been a bit of a dream come true, one that just keeps on going.
Too bad it looks to turn into a nightmare with the arrival of "Wanted".
Great review Bedhead. I've been looking forward to this one since it was first announced waaaaay back in the day.
Posted by: Ashley MacLennan at March 6, 2008 10:37 PM