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| Penelope | 
 enlarge | Director: Mark Palansky
Actors: Christina Ricci, James Mcavoy, Catherine O'hara, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: $25.99
Buy Used: $8.08
You Save: $17.91 (69%)
New (44) Used (32) from $8.08
Avg. Customer Rating:  46 reviews
Sales Rank: 346
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 89
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 66104618
UPC: 025195037952
EAN: 0025195037952
ASIN: B0011N1WE8
Theatrical Release Date: February 29, 2008
Release Date: July 15, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: All discs have been resurfaced and polished prior to listing. Has security sticker on disc. Shipped in original case. Great condition. Ships 1st Class. 100% Guaranteed.
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Amazon.com
Taking cues from Beauty and the Beast and Cyrano de Bergerac, director Mark Palanksy debuts with a slight, if fanciful confection. Produced by Reese Witherspoon and written by Leslie Caveny, Penelope begins with the phrase, "Once upon a time...," making it clear the proceedings owe more to fantasy than reality. Due to a family curse, Ricci's sweet-natured heiress sports a pig snout instead of a normal nose. Since surgery isn't an option--it would sever her carotid artery--her parents (Christopher Guest favorite Catherine O'Hara and an underused Richard E. Grant) hide her from the world for 25 years. Penelope can only break the spell through "one who will love her faithfully," but none of the local bluebloods will have her. One fateful day, while her face is hidden, she meets musician-turned-gambler Max (Atonement's James McAvoy in a winning performance). Sparks fly, until she finds he's only cozying up to her on orders from tabloid reporter Lemon (The Station Agent's Peter Dinklage), so Penelope runs away from home. The city she enters looks much like modern-day London--Amelie's Michel Amathieu served as cinematographer--except most everyone speaks with an American accent (then again, the film is a fable). The aspiring horticulturist befriends spunky courier Annie (Witherspoon) and reconnects with Max, who harbors secrets of his own. Once people become accustomed to her unconventional looks, Penelope's future starts to brighten. Like Enchanted, Palanksy's first feature gives the romantic comedy a refreshing--and empowering--fairytale twist. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
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| Customer Reviews: Read 41 more reviews...
 A Surprise Fable to Discover July 16, 2008
90 out of 93 found this review helpful
PENELOPE may at first glance seem like one of the few summer releases on DVD to merit watching, but though the selections on the shelves are inexplicably thin, this little modern day fable is so well made that it deserves wide attention. Though the plot is rather thin and predictable, the choice cast and production values gives it a luster missing from most films of the 'romantic comedy' genre.
The story (written by Leslie Caveny) is narrated by Penelope (Christina Ricci) who takes us back to the days of a curse placed on the wealthy Wilhern family who refused to allow a son to marry the impregnated common girl he loves and opts instead for a fellow blueblood. The rejected girl leaps of a cliff and the girl's mother places a curse on the family: the firstborn child, if a daughter, born to the clan will have the face of a pig that can be changed only if she is able to find lasting love. Years of firstborn sons trace the curse to contemporary London where the Wilherns (Catherine O'Hara and Richard E. Grant) finally give birth to a firstborn daughter, a dear child who indeed has the nose of a pig. The parents convince a reporter Lemon (Peter Dinklage) that the child died and was cremated and raise Penelope hidden from the real world outside. Penelope loves life and fills her enclosed space with joy until she becomes of courting age: the parents then make every attempt to secretly introduce her to wealthy young boys, each of whom flees when they see the pig girl in person.
Lemon tracks the events, knowing that Penelope still lives, and convinces some cohorts (including Simon Woods as the wealthy but squeamish Edward) to attempt to get photographs of her. Finally a likely prospect appears in the person of Max (James McAvoy) who apparently has squandered a fortune on gambling and is in desperate need of money. Max begins a cautious but consistent courtship of Penelope and is even able to look at her without disgust, but when Penelope finds her possible beau is in the game for the money, Penelope flees the 'prison' mansion and goes into the world for the first time (her nose is kept covered with a scarf). She finds the strange world fascinating, makes friends with a barkeep and a wild living Annie (Reese Witherspoon), and gradually is able to remove her scarf cover only to find that people like her despite her odd appearance. The concept of self-acceptance is well delivered. The only problem with the story is the manner in which the fable 'sells out' in the all too gratuitous ending. But the message remains and the films glows with a magic in the way that fables should, much to the credit of sensitive director Mark Palansky and a very fine cast. Grady Harp, July 08
The perils of Penelope April 13, 2008
29 out of 42 found this review helpful
Can you imagine something worse
Than being born under a curse?
A young girl with a pretty pout
That's in the shadow of her snout
Until the day one of her own
Shall make their true love freely known
Her mother tries to make a match
By landing a blue-blooded catch
But each man that might break the spell
Takes one quick look, then runs like hel!
Leaving a disappointed lass
And one big pile of shattered glass
But then along comes scruffy Max
Who doesn't leave burnt tire tracks
But stays instead to have a chat
And make some music in B-Flat
But when it comes down to the crunch
He leaves just like the other bunch
So off she runs, Penelope
The whole wide world's for her to see
But it's no fun without some cash
And so she gets herself a stash
And sets about just living life
Without the husband-hunting strife
It ends exactly as you'd think
Penelope is in the pink
But half the fun is getting there
And this one's great, I do declare
If you like fantasy, and fun
I recommend you see this one
Short Attention Span Summary (SASS)
1.Family curse breeds sow
2.Mother seeks suitable suitor with silk purse to break curse
3.She's looking for love in all the wrong places
4.Great performances by Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara (recreating her "Home Alone" persona), Reese Witherspoon (small part) and Peter Dinklage.
Amanda Richards, April 12, 2008
A terrific film that's not to be missed March 3, 2008
28 out of 36 found this review helpful
Penelope is directed by Mark Palansky. The film stars Christina Ricci (Addams Family, Casper), James McAvoy (Atonement), Catherine O'Hara (Home Alone, Orange County), Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde, Walk The Line), and Peter Dinklage (Underdog.) Joey Talbot contributes the musical score.
The film was premiered September 8, 2006 at the Toronto International Film Festival. Only now (as of February 29, 2008) is the movie getting an American release. And even then, it's just a limited release.
Penelope follows the life of a 20-something girl who is the victim of a curse placed on a wealthy family by a witch. The otherwise-normal girl is forced to endure life with a pig's snout instead of a conventional nose, which has sent many a potential suitor running off into the streets, shouting in terror. Eventually, she runs away from her sheltered existence and overprotective parents, to explore the world on her own. As she meets new friends and a potential lover who doesn't run away, she begins to discover happiness - while all the while her parents believe the only way she can be happy is through an arranged marriage, which will (hopefully) break her curse.
This is one of those movies, which despite its entertaining qualities, will likely never get the proper credit due to its poor distribution. It's taken a good year-and-a-half for the movie to get released in America.... But with big-name stars like Ricci and Witherspoon, why is this only getting a limited release!?
Despite my initial doubts, this film won me over. The story doesn't have a ton of surprises, and yet it still gets the job done nicely. The great performances and unique settings and scenery put the movie in a class of its own, above similar movies. There are a lot of movies out there that try to cater to families - but usually they fall flat on all fronts, or only please the audience at one end of the spectrum. Penelope is the rare movie that will please nearly every audience, regardless of age or gender.
The performances are one of the greatest strengths here. Christina Ricci's portrayal of the title character is some of her finest work of recent years. Lonely and distraught but never giving up hope despite the humiliating curse flung upon her from birth, she makes this movie all her own. Another great performance comes from Reese Witherspoon, who also served as producer. Easily one of the most diverse and talented actresses in modern cinema, she gives a certain charm to the movie no one else ever would have been able to. Of course, the undisputed best performance of the movie comes from Catherine O'Hara. If you've seen either one of the first two Home Alone movies, you'll know that she plays a paranoid, obsessive parent like no one else - and here she takes that role over-the-top. She got more laughs out of this reviewer than any other character in the film, and it won't be long into viewing that you see why. Also entertaining is Peter Dinklage as an undercover reporter trying to dig up dirt on Penelope, and James McAvoy as her potential love interest.
The other area in which this film really pleases is its scenery. It's a strange hodgepodge of the old and new worlds, that can't quite decide whether it's trying to be America or England. It's an almost Tim Burton-esque atmosphere, and it sets the movie apart from most of these "not so typical" fairy tale type films. Some of the best set design and scenery this reviewer has seen in a long time.
It's not a perfect movie, though. At times, the whole thing just feels too over-the-top. Guys, let's be realistic - would YOU run away screaming from Christina Ricci, even if she had a pig's nose? I didn't think so. Also, in the latter half, the film does tend to drag a bit, and shift its focus from the journey of self-discovery to a satire on popular culture. Not that this half of the film is even flawed, but it's too big a jump in too little time. But these issues certainly don't derail the film.
This is one of the best family-friendly films of recent years, and I am simply appalled that the thing has gotten such poor distribution! Take my advice - if there's a theater in your area showing the film, even if you have to drive a little farther than you normally do for your cinematic entertainment, go for it. Regardless of your age or gender, it's a terrific little gem that isn't to be missed.
Thumbs up
Unusual, uplifting and fun March 1, 2008
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
This quirky ugly-duckling fable is ideal to see with your 'tween- or teen-aged daughter. Its message of self-acceptance is obvious but not heavy handed, and worth talking about afterward. A modern-day fairy tale, the movie begins with the traditional line "Once upon a time..." but soon becomes a twisted take on Beauty and the Beast. In this case, it's the princess with the curse that turns her ugly. Can she learn to love herself?
Well of course she can. The journey that pig-nosed heroine Penelope travels is not at all believable, but then again fairy tales rarely are. If you give yourself over to the uplifting moral -- that everyone is lovable and interesting BECAUSE of their differences, not in spite of them -- then this film is a treat. The energetic cinematography aptly depicts both grime and splendor, the costumes are loaded with detail (I especially loved Penelope's coat with mismatched buttons) and though the script drags at times, it has many unexpected twists and turns that keep things entertaining.
Though Christina Ricci does a good job expressing herself behind a snout, the real performance here is that of James McAvoy. Given the task of playing Prince Charming as a washed-up musician with a gambling problem, McAvoy glows with charismatic star power. The shaggy haired, sleepy-eyed actor doesn't look like your typical leading man, but when he is onscreen the movie hums. Catherine O'Hara and Richard E. Grant also click as the wrong-headed parents, and Peter Dinklage is his usual excellent self as a one-eyed reporter.
 Priceless July 16, 2008
17 out of 24 found this review helpful
PENELOPE is born under a family curse cast by a wicked witch. She must suffer from a porcine proboscis until she is loved by one of her own. Christina Ricci contributes another great performance that began many years ago with Mermaids, took flight with The Addams Family - The Complete Series as Wednesday, and soared with Johnny Depp in Sleepy Hollow and The Man Who Cried. It was rumored that she considered quitting acting, but she continually portrays some of the most interesting roles in film.
PENELOPE works on many levels, not the least being that one must love oneself to be loved. Once she learns the lesson, the spell is broken and the witch, who may not have been truly wicked after all, takes leave. The great cast includes Catherine O'Hara, not unlike her Home Alone persona, Reese Witherspoon, who is absolutely stunning in a small, supportive role, and James McAvoy in an understated but solid performance.
I missed this film in its theatrical release, which is fine since it works so well on a smaller screen. Not everyone will get it, but it's an interesting film to watch. I hope Ricci keeps perfecting her craft because there are so few like her on the screen today.
I liked that that the DVD has both the widescreen and full screen versions. It's a convenient and thoughtful option.
Charlie Maze
July 15, 2008
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