Sep. 14th, 2010
(no subject)
Sep. 14th, 2010 10:42 pmI just watched the film 'Penelope' again. Yes, the one with Christina Ricci as a girl with a pig nose. And you know what? I love it. It really is just damn charming.
At heart it is a story about self-acceptance, and the ways on which one might get distracted from that. The romance is done with a beautifully light touch. I would like to marry the costumer. And also the cinematographer. The visuals give the whole thing a gorgeous, bright, fairytale feel.
The prologue and epilogue are particularly cheesy, but I forgive them, because the rest is so great. It hits all the tropes - the overbearing mother, the apparent romantic betrayal, the journey of self-discovery. But I love the flawed characters, and I love Penelope's bright wonder. And, cheesy as it is, I love that she saves herself, and ultimately others as well.
The cast is brilliant. Christina Ricci is adorable as the lead, James McAvoy is scruffily charming and heartfelt as the love interest, Peter Dinklage is just all kinds of cool as the journalist who can't let go of the story that cost him an eye 25 years ago. The rest of the cast include people like Reese Witherspoon, Burn Gorman, Russell Brand, Ronnie Ancona, Richard E. Grant and a host of others bringing vivid colour to the smaller roles.
Also, James McAvoy can rock the screen kiss.
I forgive this film all of its flaws because it makes me feel like a bit of a sappy romantic, where most romances just make me feel cynical.
At heart it is a story about self-acceptance, and the ways on which one might get distracted from that. The romance is done with a beautifully light touch. I would like to marry the costumer. And also the cinematographer. The visuals give the whole thing a gorgeous, bright, fairytale feel.
The prologue and epilogue are particularly cheesy, but I forgive them, because the rest is so great. It hits all the tropes - the overbearing mother, the apparent romantic betrayal, the journey of self-discovery. But I love the flawed characters, and I love Penelope's bright wonder. And, cheesy as it is, I love that she saves herself, and ultimately others as well.
The cast is brilliant. Christina Ricci is adorable as the lead, James McAvoy is scruffily charming and heartfelt as the love interest, Peter Dinklage is just all kinds of cool as the journalist who can't let go of the story that cost him an eye 25 years ago. The rest of the cast include people like Reese Witherspoon, Burn Gorman, Russell Brand, Ronnie Ancona, Richard E. Grant and a host of others bringing vivid colour to the smaller roles.
Also, James McAvoy can rock the screen kiss.
I forgive this film all of its flaws because it makes me feel like a bit of a sappy romantic, where most romances just make me feel cynical.