A wonderful little movie Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day deserves much more attention than what it received when it was released. A woman who has lost everything sees her world turned upside down after becoming entangled in a young singer’s affairs of the heart in the London on the eve of World War II. This is a story about second chances filled with a great sense of humor and great performances.
Guinevere Pettigrew, played wonderfully by Frances MacDormand, is a strict clergyman’s daughter with some very strong opinions which always create difficulties for her holding a job as a governess. Starving and despaired after spending a night on the streets, she becomes the social secretary of an perky American singer whose love life is as complicated as her motives are simple, Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams) wants to become a star and will do anything for that to happen. Miss Pettigrew becomes, for a day, Delysia’s secretary, friend and mentor showing her how to listen to her heart and follow her real dreams. While at it Miss Pettigrew finds herself embroiled in one of Delysia’s friends (Shirley Henderson) broken engagement and recognizes the man involved (Ciaran Hinds) as a kindred spirit.
The cast of this movie is absolutely perfect! We can easily see that everyone is enjoying themselves and you can only join the party while cheering up Miss Pettigrew and Miss Lafosse adventures. There’s a remarkable complicity between MacDormand and Adams which is really refreshing and even moving. If, at first, Delysia looks superficial and career driven, she has also a generous heart. Amy Adams manages to create a very particular combination of glamour, cheerfulness and innocence that will conquer your heart from the first 5 minutes. When Ciaran Hinds shows up in the screen, we wait reverently for his lines. While not classically handsome, he has very distinguished and charming looks. The attention he gives to the shy Miss Pettigrew and the immediate empathy between them leaves you wishing for a fairytale end.
Let’s not forget the calculating and cold-heart Edythe who could froze anyone with her stare. The fragile looking Shirley Henderson adds some spice to the story, just like the charismatic Mark Strong who plays one of Delysia’s lovers.
The movie was adapted from the book by Winifred Watson by the same name. Since none of us read it before, we cannot say if the story follows the book closely or not. In any case, this is a perfect movie for a relaxing afternoon when you wish to see a light comedy with a handful of actors who certainly know how keep you entertained.
Images: http://www.thecinemasource.com/blog/
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970468/
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
This was such a nice movie… I really enjoyed it!
This is a charming film that touches on serious aspects of life, while managing to keep light-hearted at the same time. It seems written like a play and would likely be great live, on-stage. The acting is excellent and the whole cast works well together. The pace and plot move forward with a surprising and delightful resolution. A great diversion to be watched anytime.