CLEMENTINE'S REVIEWS

21st April 2010
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)

Writers: David Magee & Simon Beaufoy (Sreenplay); Winifred Watson (Novel)
Director: Bharat Nalluri
Starring: Frances McDormand , Amy Adams, Lee Pace, Ciarán Hinds and Shirley Henderson

When the forthright Miss Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) finds herself out of a job, she tries her hand as a social secretary for the vivacious and ambitious singer and actress Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams). Miss Pettigrew quickly finds herself out of her depth as she attempts to untangled Delysia's romantic complications - in the form of three boyfriends. The first is Phil Goldman (Tom Payne), the wide eyed son of a producer who stands between Delysia and the role of a lifetime. Next we have Nick (Mark Strong) the nightclub owner where Delysia is his little singing starlet; and finally the cabaret pianist Michael (Lee Pace), a passionate but poor man who is the only recipient of Delysia's true affection. 

There's an awful lot to like about this film - topping the list is Frances McDormand as the simple, humble, and honest Miss Pettigrew. McDormand is doing her thing - being brilliant. She is so present with her natural likability. She steals the scene with her modesty, awkwardness, and straightforward nature. The entire cast is flipping good and so likable. Amy Adams dives head first into the key role of Delysia. She's commendably bubbles and froth, as some might liken to Monroesque, the only things I didn't love was her extreme breathiness and (of no fault of hers) her colouring, hair length, style and profile are so like Nicole Kidman (from Australia? Moulin Rouge? Who knows, somewhere or everywhere) to the point of distraction. I would have liked to see a bit more of the woman behind the persona which is hinted at, the one which Michael saw and fell in love with.

The highlight song of the show really makes me wish the whole movie was a musical.

This screwball comedy is a breath of fresh air from the 1930s, a real homage to early Hollywood films and movies as an extension of theatre. I was fascinated to hear this is an adaption from a book in 1938, planned as a movie until it was abandoned due to the war. The book was recently re-released and the made into a film, while keeping the flavour of old silver screen comedies. Stylishly produced, the sets and costumes really create a vivid sense of time and place, including a spectacularly lavish lingerie show.

Verdict: A lot of fabulous fashion, sweet 1930s set design and a good cast make this an all around fun romantic romp.

Read Alaris' review of Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008).