Movie Review: Penelope (2006)

Hello, everyone!

I first watched the movie that I am going to review today back in 2009, so 10 years ago! I thought that I remembered it almost perfectly, but both my younger and older sister, who watched it with me, didn't remember it at all! A few weeks ago I was finally able to rewatch it with my older sister. I was right, I remembered pretty much everything (except the last 10 minutes). My older sister liked it, but still didn't remember seeing it before! I feel so old...

(Also, yay Netflix! I watched it both times on there).

Note: I was so excited to be watching it that I kept forgetting to write things down, but then I randomly would so these are out of context. Sorry!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

Penelope (2006):

A long time ago, the Wilherns were cursed that their first born daughter would have the face of a pig. They never thought about it because they only had sons... until Penelope. The curse will only end when one of her own kind, a "blue blood", someone who has money and position, learns to love her. A reporter wants to make money by showing a photo of her to the public. He also has personal reasons for wanting a slight "revenge" because he got hurt when he previously tried to get a picture. Working with Edward, one of the few people who has seen her, they plan to hire someone to pretend to be a suitor long enough to get a photo. Penelope wants to see the world but it doesn't want to see her. Will she finally find a friend, or will they only run from her?

Genre: Low Fantasy (there is the idea of the curse, but all of it takes place in our world and there is no other mention of magic), Romance.

Length: approx. 104 minutes.

Costumes: 8, nothing brilliant, but nothing bad.
My favorite: I couldn't find any good pictures, but she has an awesome coat!

Script: 9, only one or two bad words!
"Once the queen's dead the king is useless." (Chess!)

Crew:

Directed by: Mark Palansky.

Written by: Leslie Caveny.

Starring:
Christina Ricci as Penelope Wilhern. "Plants are great, I just thought of you as a cop."

James McAvoy as Max Campion, "Johnny".

Catherine O'Hara as Jessica Wilhern.

Richard E. Grant as Franklin Wilhern.
Peter Dinklage as Lemon.
Simon Woods as Edward Humphrey Vanderman III.
Nigel Havers as Edward Vanderman II.
Reese Witherspoon as Annie.

Ronni Ancona as Wanda.
Richard Leaf as Jack the Bartender.
Michael Feast as Jake.

Cinematography: 9, at first I thought that it was a little weird, but I think it was just the screen that I was watching it on.

Cinematography by: Michel Amathieu.

Music: 8, if there was a score or soundtrack it didn't really stick out to me, but I love how they have the song "You Are My Sunshine" in there!

Music by: Joby Talbot.

Quotes: 9. "It's not the power of the curse, it's the power that you give the curse."

Storyline: 7, so there is death, suggestive things, mention of an affair, smoking, drinking (we see people intoxicated a few times), and gambling, but it is all mostly shown as bad.
"Will somebody call my mother?"

Good For: People who don't like how they look, who are scared of being seen, anybody!

Age Range: All ages! There are a few exaggerated drawings that might scare really little kids, and there is mild kissing, but that's it! Penelope is not scary at all, she is really sweet and pretty. She is uncomfortable with how she looks and it shocks people when they first see her, but would never be scary to anyone watching it.

Overall Score: 8.5!

Bonus thoughts:
How do I even begin to talk about this wonderful movie? It is so incredible sweet! This is one of those movies that makes you happy and encourages you, and one that I could watch all the time. This movie is so adorable! It has a very fall like feeling, so it would be great to watch this month (hint hint, you should!). The question of "Is beauty skin deep?" is one that I really like to see explored and see what people come up with. I can't stop saying how good this is!


Well, it's up to you, my readers, now! Have you seen this movie, what do you think? Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic