In this middle-aged Cinderella story Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) is propelled into the high life when she manoeuvres a job as an actress’s social secretary. Miss Pettigrew lands a job as Delysia Lafosse’s (Amy Adams) social secretary when she manages to save Lafosse from imminent catastrophe as Pettigrew prevents her two lovers from meeting early one morning. Saved from bread lines and soup kitchens Pettigrew is then taken under Lafosse’s wing and made up to fit into her glamorous world.
“The woman can do anything” Lafosse confides to friend Edythe Dubarry (Shirley Henderson) and she is charged with making sure the most important day of Lafosse’s life goes to plan and ensure none of her three suitors find out about the others while ensuring that Lafosse gets the lead in Phil Goldman’s (Tom Payne) new musical.
The charming confection of a comedy is set in pre WWII London and stars Amy Adams in her second major lead role after playing the Disney princess Giselle in Enchanted. This film reprises many of the same characteristics she displays in Enchanted. Maintaining the saccharine sweetness, wide eyed cartoonishness, guilelessness and dizziness that seems to only get her into trouble in Enchanted, this time around she finds herself cuckolding three men, whilst being kept by one in her pursuit of fame as an actress.
Four time Oscar nominee and one time winner Frances McDormand does a sterling job as the uptight but down at heel Miss Pettigrew. She provides the film with staunch common sense, her steady goodness gives the film the that means the audience cannot help but hope for her happiness.
However the female buddy aspect of the film plays out magnificently with each providing characteristics that the other lacks. Delysia is free-sprited, vivacious and overflowing with life where Miss Pettigrew provides stability and perspective, the film allowing them to grow and learn from each other.
The fluffy yet forgettable film charts the 24 hours of Lafosse and Pettigrew’s acquaintance in which time they manage to change the other’s romantic destiny. Based on a 1948 novel by Winifred Watson, it has a pleasing retro look and feel. The sets have been lovingly and elaborately constructed with Delysia Lafosse’s elaborate art deco apartment providing a stage for much of the action, the spectacle of design is worth cinema admission alone.
The film’s simplicity is its strength. The characters seek redemptive change leading to love. Pettigrew doesn’t just get a new dress and a fashionable hair cut, she begins to recognize herself in a world where she is considered valuable. Lafosse grows from being a woman of ill repute, to a woman transformed by love and possibility.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a day is an entertaining way to spend a Sunday afternoon, its frothy farce and its unabashed pursuit of sweetness and romance make it one of the best (if forgettable) romantic comedies of this year.
One Comment
I also enjoyed this film on a mindless Sunday afternoon. Both quirky leading actresses are favourites of mine.
Have you seen Amy Adams in Junebug? If you haven’t, it is really worth a watch.