4 out of 5 stars. If ever there was a stage name that suited a character better I haven't heard it to date. But, the day is only getting started. Hence the name "Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day". Frances McDormand stars as Miss Pettigrew and when the story opens, she has just been fired from the position as a servant of a wealthy lady. My favorite parts of the movie are the references to the potential for war between Britain and Germany. Miss Pettigrew...Miss Pettigrew...Miss Pettigrew... Money or love? Cute 30's-style story, but the best thing about this film was the art deco sets, the best art deco work I have seen since the real deco films of of the 30's. When Amy Adams sings it 's a little bit of screen magic. Delysia doesn't know what that is, but all the other girls on Broadway have one, so she wants one as well. Oh how we rolled in the aisles, I don't think. 2,055 reviews. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Read a PG Wodehouse instead. Miss Guinevere Pettigrew does have quite a day. It's an unusual and engaging romantic comedy because it's mostly about how these women ready each other for real love. But for a truly engaging "screwball comedy with a heart" the story and dialogue were often painfully clumsy. by McDormand and Adams who have delightful comedic timing and chemistry. Neither she, nor her three "lovers" are likable or memorable. This played like it was written ,directed , and produced by a bunch of 4th grade silly girls. Summary: In 1939 London, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew is a middle-aged governess who finds herself once again unfairly dismissed from her job. Lafosse is portrayed as a superficial airhead, stringing several men along while she determines which one of best suited to advance her career. All of the characters are a delight to read. Jayne Film Reviews 20th century / Friday Film Review / London 29 Comments. on. Illustration: Persephone Books It was so much fun that Winifred Watson’s … But something in Watson’s story endures: The wish-fulfillment truly satisfies. -I fell in love with "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day". Charming, unpretentious, and well-acted, esp. For example, there is a scene where a formation of heavy British bombers fly overhead. Which one will she pick? When I first saw the trailer for Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, I was a little off put, it looked like a movie that I was either going like a lot or really dislike and feel like it was a waste of time. If you're looking for a compelling, daring, high brow documentary then this is not the one for you. He was magnetically appealing. 4 out of 5 stars. It's about a middle-aged woman, a nanny in 1939 London, down on her luck, who manages to help a young couple realize what love is all about, and in the process finds some love for herself. The book's tone is light and very sweet. An aficionado of music and styles of the 30's and 40's, I couldn't wait to see this movie and was ready to love it. She Constantly finds herself out of a job until she meets Delysia Lafosse(Amy Adams). The social assistant refuses to offer another employment to her but Miss Pettigrew grabs the address of the American actress and singer Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams) on her desk and heads to Delysia´s fancy apartment. Every few years a film comes along that makes you believe in love again. If you are reading this review you know this can be a problem. When I went in I wasn't expecting to laugh as much as I did. Miss Pettigrew, an approaching-middle-age governess, was accustomed to a household of unruly English children. Full Review | Original Score: 3.0/5 This is a lovely film with a great plot and a terrific cast. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) Reviews on Cinafilm.com - London, England, on the eve of World War II. Actually, that may have been deliberate as the over all theme is how the modern life (i.e., modern in 1939) is not as satisfying as old fashioned values. [Focus Features]. Worse, drawn-out mugging by the usually wonderful McDormand and Adams (in supposedly farcical situations) wasn't funny and made the pace positively lurch along, clearly the fault of the direction and editing. Overall the movie was very well done and one of the best refreshingly familiar feel-good films in recent memory. In a refreshing turn of fate, this was an exception. Not only that, Delysia whisks Miss Pettigrew off to a fashion show and salon, where the new social secretary gets a makeover and meets a rich, handsome man (Ciaran Hinds) with eyes for HER. Sue Arnold. Delysia finds herself in 3 relationships and each one has a perk. I thought it was so stupid I left after 12 minutes. Let’s get one thing straight: Amy Adams is adorable. Delysia Lafosse assigns her the job of "Social Secretary". Some reviewers seem disappointed that it has "nothing more" on its mind, but why is that any less satisfying than a well-made action film? -This film is about Guinevere Pettigrew(Frances McDormand), a woman living(on the streets that is)in London during the late 1930s on the brink of WW2. In London in the beginning of World War II, the middle-aged Miss Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) is unemployed and hunger after being fired by her alcoholic employer. So buoyant that even an air raid warning, signaling that this whole world is about to crumble under the blitz, can’t dampen its giddy spirits. Everything has to take place in this limited setting, but the plot is too thin and the dialog too weak to be effective. You're gonna have to see the film to find out. © 2021 METACRITIC, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. (Oops, I guess you might have figured me for a guy by my review name, papacorn, but I'm solidly female.) Lost in the hostile city, a series of fortunate circumstances lead her to meet Delysia LaFosse, a glamorous and dazzling American jazz singer whose life is a chaos ruled by indecision, a continuous battle between love and fame. Mcdormand and Adams deliver sterling displays in a wonderfully costumed period romantic comedy. It not an huge story, but a good one. And I don’t mean sweet and huggable like a teddy bear. The dialog took 2nd place anyway as the sets, the costumes, the production, and the pacing dazzled, and moved the story at a nice a clip, too nice to bore. There is a third man in Delysia's life and the young beauty is juggling suitors in a quest to become a bonafide star of the screen. She must not falter on her morals, however, despite the detours along the way, as she is the last stop for her new boss to finally discover the joy and life of love that has been sitting right in front of her. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is warm-hearted and engaging, and much too good to be dismissed as mere romantic whimsy, although it is undeniably both romantic and whimsical. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) Genre: Romantic Comedy Grade: C. This is a movie I wanted to love, yearned to love, and hoped to love. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (United Kingdom, 2008) A movie review by James Berardinelli Amy Adams must enjoy fairy tales - this is the second one in … | As the reader goes through the fabulously mad-cap day they find themselves hoping that the day will never end and that Miss Pettigrew won’t have to return to her previous life. An original illustration by Mary Thomson from Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. This felt like someone's vanity piece; some producer or director who loved '30s era screwball comedies wanted to make one of their own. The audience at the viewing I saw was 95% female. The only times this film has some life are when Hinds and McDormand share screen time alone, with the other totally uninteresting characters off the screen. Desperate, Miss Pettigrew learns that another employee of the agency is scheduled to go to a job for an actress and intercepts the communication so that the actress believes that Miss Pettigrew was sent by the agency. A lot of it deals with innuendos, Miss Pettigrew's luck(which is quite terrible), and Delysia's actions. Meanwhile Miss Pettigrew meets the lingerie designer Joe Blomfield (Ciarán Hinds), who seems to be attracted to her. This British comedy looks at one remarkable day in the life of Miss Pettigrew, a London governess who finds herself out of work and desperate for a new situation. Film Friday (9/8): This Week's New Movie Trailers. Anyone with knowledge of what happened during the Second World War will recognize it for the powerful harbinger of their future reality. The pace was crisp & whimsical, the acting delightful, and the script full of deliciously witty banter. However, if you're interested in seeing good acting, excellent art direction, and fun, whimsical characters then you won't be disappointed. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Now on to the humor in general. This is the world Miss Pettigrew finds her self swept up into, and where she lives her day…to the fullest. Awards Cute, light-hearted movie with heart, and a lesson for our times! And you really begin to want everything to work out for her. ". Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day was released in 2008 and largely holds up due to the class acts of Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, and Ciarán Hinds (as … Francis McDorman is a good actress, why she involved herself in this time waster is a mystery. This is all told amidst the accouterments of sophisticated comedy, complete with a Cole Porter song and some Noel Coward brittleness. Delysia LaFosse. I'm afraid I found this film toe-curling-lee unfunny. But the acting and all is so well done that this "happily ever after" story can just be forgiven and enjoyed. -The first thing that surprised me about this movie is the amount of humor and innuendo. Miss Pettigrew helps Delysia to resolve her affairs and learn that Delysia has a true love, a poor piano player that has invited her to move to New York with him. The rest of the players are also wonderful, with a word of mention extended to Shirley Henderson for her nice turn as a conniving, inconvenient woman. Here is the "governess of last resort," a daughter of a vicar, raised in a sheltered world of modesty. Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day Rating & Content Info Why is Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day rated PG-13? It offered up a plush background that quickly brought this viewer in to share the experience with the actors. Review: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Needless to say, the sets and costumes from the late 1930's are grand and so are the film's art direction and photography. She is somewhat over the top just like in "Enchanted", but it matches her constant excitement and mischievousness well. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, This Miss is bliss! Adams is engaging as the beautiful but mixed-up starlet while Hinds is marvelous as the man who rediscovers what is important in life. If you have any male hormone in ya, this. Amy Adams plays the glamorous and high-society singer actress Delysia Lafosse, and when Miss Pettigrew arrives, the apartment is in a state of chaos, Lafosse needs to get the man in her bed dressed and out of the apartment before another man in her life arrives. During the next 24 hours, Guinevere and Delysia will empower one another to discover their romantic destinies. A genteel rags-to-possible-riches story that became an instant bestseller when it … The acting, well Frances McDormand and Amy Adams as the two leads, need I say more. She does experiment with drinking at a party and seems to enjoy the atmosphere. The music is the star. If you're a fan of such things, "Pettigrew" is worth seeing solely for its sets. She still managed to make her portrayal of the character believable despite her acting limitations. Francis McDormand gives an excellent performance as the lead character. His quiet reserve as Joe, ruggedly handsome,worldly wise, and debonair, is rarely seen in male roles. Read the book. In order to keep the lid on her lies, though, she finds herself unwittingly becoming a key pawn on the board, moving pieces around to where they say they want to go, but where she knows they truly don't. But oh dear, nostalgia costumes and art deco lifts don't make a great film, just as a funny walk is not great comedy. Welcome to a world of lavish delights. 1939 London comes alive beautifully on the screen, top production values. I didn't think that I would be saying that, but here I am. Adapted from Winifred Watson's novel by the same name and starring the talented Frances McDormand, this film is a gem. Jeremiah Kipp. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Although this is clearly a chick-flick, guys can relate to it as well. It wasn't funny,or the least bit believeable. Congratulations are hereby given to the fine, fine script and story, as well. The book then follows Miss Pettigrew through a fairytale-like day of dramatic encounters and unlikely events. Don't waste your money. Recommended. This she does, by intercepting an employment assignment outside of her comfort level--as In 1939 London, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew is … February 25, 2008. Based on the 1939 novel by Winifred Watson, MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY exudes the jaunty fun of a high-society London bent on squeezing the last bit of joy out of life before heading to war. I want to give special notice to Ciaran HInds as Joe Blumfield. I highly recommend this film, go see it and when it comes out on DVD rent it if not buy it. Taking the "social secretary" designation to heart, she tries to help her new friend Delysia navigate a love life and career, both of which are complicated by the three men in Delysia's orbit: devoted pianist Michael, intimidating nightclub owner Nick, and impressionable junior impresario Phil. So many elements were there - the premise, the characters, flawless casting from the leads to the supporting actors, and evocative and charming look and sound. At least it has Frances MacDormand. Miss Pettigrew was as pleasant and inoffensive as your great-aunt Mabel, but it should have left everyone wiping a tear while doing a little two-step out the door to the jaunty end-title music. Metacritic Reviews. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day intends to unspool like a popped bottle of champagne— fizzy, sparkly and full of air. Do you want to experience movie bliss? 13 years ago. Making a beeline to the appropriate home, she encounters the young starlet, Delysia La Fosse (Amy Adams) who asked for her services. The scene where Amy Adams sings one number had me in tears! Delysia has had a male guest, overnight, who is not the man who owns the flat where she is currently bunking! Its always funny and cleverly done. A fish out of water movie that's warmhearted without being sentimental, and the fish out of water premise never gets boring. OK, the plot is at best schmaltzy. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a well-acted comedy with enough old-fashioned qualities to make it an enjoyable experience for long-standing audiences. Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is a glitzy snapshot into 1930’s high society just before the Second World War broke out; a story of impromptu rags to riches, glamorous nightclubs and indecisive passion. What else has he done? Clearly a child of the Depression, Lafosse is for the first time somebody, rather than just another woman struggling to survive. However, as the film progresses, we learn that she is much more than that. External Reviews I didn't laugh at all during this movie. An attempt to gain new employment catapults her into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse. The production, directing, writing, and acting are all superb as they recreate the WWII era in England. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Let's have more of this! The story line while familiar, is adapted well enough to be make it a refreshing and witty period film without being cliché or taking itself too seriously. its certainly the best hour and half you could ask for after Oscar season ... Mcdormand shines and Adam's a gem always... a rare treat. Brisk, peppy, light on its feet, and trying awfully hard to be reminiscent of a fast-talking Depression-era rags-to-riches comedy, the film can be best described as inoffensive. Frances McDormand was so brilliant and a lot of fun to watch, she's got such a presence on the silver screen and has still got that magical touch. Compare the feeling to being a fish who gets caught on the hook, is reeled in,and quickly finds out the worm wasn't worth the misery of being captured. Considering “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” is a relatively small picture, it only makes sense that its DVD extras follow suit. A really charming film due to the great chemistry between the two leads, McDormand and Adams. Although a bit forced at times, MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY is a bright and bubbly under-rated film that has all the makings of a possible Broadway musical. I mean the cast all did their best. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game - Complete Edition, MXGP 2020 - The Official Motocross Videogame, Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer. This quirky romance is set in London right before the outbreak of World War II. Another key player is the film is Joe Blumfield(Ciarán Hinds), the fashion designer. This she does, by intercepting an employment assignment outside of her comfort level--as "social secretary." Miss Pettigrew mentions that she is a minister's daughter and has led a sheltered life. Perhaps for this reason it may not be to some people's liking. -The film is written over the course of one day. Photos courtesy of Focus FeaturesCiaran Hinds & Frances McDormand in "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day." tags: Amy Adams, Bharat Nalluri, Clare Clifford, David Alexander, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day This adaptation of a book by the same name is a fun period film for the actors to have some fun in, and they do, but ultimately is a bit off in a couple of areas and doesn’t gel overall as a film. Published. I can't believe this film received positive reviews. Published on Fri 20 Mar 2009 20.14 EDT. Read the Empire Movie review of Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day. Arriving at a penthouse apartment for the interview, Miss Pettigrew is catapulted into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse. Fri Mar 14 2008, 01:56pm | 7 comments. The interloper must be ushered out before Mr. Moneybags returns or Delysia will be in a heap of trouble. Quirky and a bit playful, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day captured my heart. 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