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Movie Review: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Desperate for employment, a naïve spinster is dragged into a world of debauchery and deception that she never could have envisioned in her wildest dreams.

Review by Jennifer Kimball

Friday, April 18, 2008

Name of Film: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Director: Bharat Nalluri

Lead Actors: Frances McDormand (as Guinevere Pettigrew), Amy Adams (as Delysia Lafosse), Ciaran Hinds (as Joe Blumfield), and Lee Pace (as Michael Pardue)

Synopsis: Miss Pettigrew (McDormand) is a naïve, sheltered spinster who finds employment as an inept nanny in pre-WWII London. After being dismissed for the third and final time, she is abruptly told to leave her employment agency—but not before swiping a potential client's address. Being quite desperate, (and reluctant to dwell in the streets) Miss Pettigrew finds herself drawn to the home of Delysia Lafosse (Adams). She soon finds that Miss Lafosse is a starlet hell-bent on stardom at any cost. Poor Miss Pettigrew is dragged into a world of debauchery and deception that she never could have envisioned in her wildest dreams. Yet, she still manages to keep her strong sense of morality throughout the film.

Review: This was a brilliantly done era comedy, with a Cinderella twist to the story. Frances McDormand (Miss Pettigrew) was very believable as the frumpy preacher's daughter who saw the world as she was raised to see it—and not as it is. Miss Pettigrew finds herself in many uncomfortable situations throughout her day working for Miss Lafosse (Amy Adams); mainly due to Miss Lafosse's aspirations for stardom, which involved her romancing wealthy, connected men for her own gain. Miss Pettigrew's job through the day was to keep the gentlemen from finding Miss Lafosse in a compromising position, and to try to keep the gullible Miss Lafosse from repeating her mistakes. Along the way, both ladies discover a mutual admiration and each brings a positive change to the other's life.

This film is surprisingly funny and intriguing. The realistic costume and set designs display the era quite adequately. The film itself was brilliantly shot, showing people's faces without enhancement, so every wrinkle, or flaw is right there, making everything all the more believable. What a wonderful date night, or girls-night-out film!

Reason you should see this movie: This is a wonderfully written comedy, with a believable setting, and a perfect cast. This movie is well worth your time!

Rating:

–Reviewed by Jennifer Kimball of York Beach, ME

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