Haven’t heard of this movie, don’t worry not too many have, but I still found this to be very cute. The reason why I have to place 2006 in the title is because while I don’t think there are other movies called Penelope yet you might mistake this for a movie starring someone named that. Now while the film is not perfect it is far from one of bad (at least in my opinion) given the fantasy complex. Spoilers ahead as usual. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.
The Wilhern’s seem like one of the nicest and richest families in England, but there was a legend surrounding them. Many years ago one of the Wilhern men had an affair with one of his servants, but was talked out of marrying her by his family. After he wed someone more to his family’s blue blood standards, the heartbroken and pregnant servant killed herself. The girl’s mother, the town witch, cursed the Wilhern’s that the first daughter born would have the face of a pig and only when someone of their own kind loves her for who she was would the curse be broken. For many years only sons were born, until Jessica and Frank Wilhern (Catherine O’Hara and Richard E. Grant) had Penelope (Christina Ricci). Throughout her childhood Penelope was kept hidden from the world, despite reporters trying to take pictures of her. When she reached 18 Jessica, along with a match maker Wanda (Ronni Ancona), try to find a suitable blue blood match for Penelope. However when any of the guys they pick see her they run, forcing the family butler Jake (Michael Feast) to stop them and make them swear not to tell anyone about Penelope. One man, Edward Humphrey Vanderman III (Simon Woods) gets away before Jake could catch him and is laughed at by the police. One person does believes him: a reporter named Lemon (Peter Dinklage) who lost his eye trying to get a picture of Penelope when she was a baby. Needing proof Lemon and Edward hire a man they believe is Max Campion (James McAvoy), a blue blood with a serious gambling problem, to try and take a picture of Penelope. However Max is caught off guard by how sweet Penelope is and the two begin to bond. When she does reveal herself he is not disgusted by her, but flees when the camera goes off making Penelope think he ran from her face. Max destroys the camera before giving it to Lemon, but when Penelope asks him to marry her just to break the curse he tells her he can’t, leaving her heartbroken. Inspired by Max’s talk of the outside world Penelope leaves her home for the first time, wearing a scarf around her nose and mouth to keep herself hidden, much to the horror of her mother. She meets Annie (Reese Witherspoon) who becomes her mentor and friend. When Penelope decides to expose herself to the world there is a lot of good that comes with it, but there may also be a big cost for herself. About as far as I should go without giving away the rest of the movie.
Like I said this film is not fantastic but I highly doubt it will be the worst thing you see. Christina Ricci, James McAvoy and Reese Witherspoon are my favorite parts of the movie as they all accept each other for who they are, which is what we want in the people we choose to love. While I think Catherine O’Hara is good in the movie let’s just say Penelope’s mom is not exactly mother of the year, although Simon Woods’s character can give her a run for her money. If you like cute fantasy movies then Penelope might be a cute movie for you; otherwise this is probably a skip.
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