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Guinevere
Pettigrew had a tough job as a governess in London in the late 1930s. Perhaps
it's her unattractive appearance, perhaps it's her rather stern and awkward
character, but no one hires her and nothing goes right. When she steals the
address of a client and accidentally becomes the social secretary of a dynamic
American actress on the rise, she lets this little ray of happiness carry her
through an increasingly adventurous and crazy day.
The heart and soul come from
a conversation
The film, based on Winifred Watson's 1938 novel, is a comedy, with the heart and soul coming from the interactions and dialogue. The plot is based on the characters and each has the vitality that so often appears on stage. The superb Frances McDormand heads a talented cast and allows no one to outshine her, although Miss Pettigrew is one of those likable, invisible characters who easily remain in the shadows of the story. I love the look on her face. It's subtle but very expressive, so we always know what she's thinking, and the energy she radiates - even as a tired, exhausted character - makes everything fresh and clear without complication.
If you don't have a name, you
will recognize it
Amy Adams
is a terrific goofball as Deliciana - something she's rarely done lately, but
does extremely well. But the role of Delysia suits her particularly well
because, like the other main character, she dives into the stupid. Delicia is a
girl with a worldview, and that worldview has taught her to create classic,
empty beauty. Amy finds the right balance. Her friend Edith is played by
Shirley Henderson, whose face, if not name, you will certainly recognize.
The nightclub where she sings
and the apartment
She's a terrific villain, with the incredible confidence of a stylist and the slight sadness of a woman who is so mired in her evil that she has lost all hope of being happy and lives only to make others as miserable as herself. Delicia is a charming and vivacious young woman who has three suitors to choose from. The first is Mark Strong as Nick. Nick owns the nightclub where she sings and the apartment where she lives. He's rich, but he's a crook. Mark Strong, of course, is great because he's always great, and in short, he makes Nick exactly the stereotype you'd expect. The other suitor is Phil, played by Tom Paine. A handsome young man who talks like a perfect 1930s British pilot.
Male characters can stick to
classical stereotypes
He is very
reminiscent of Edmund Sparkler from Little Dorrit. His father runs the theatre
for which Delicia competes. Mostly sympathetic, but not a character to feel
sympathy for. That honor falls to the third man, Michael, played by Lee Pace
(of course). Michael is the pianist who accompanies Delysia to Nick's
nightclub; he's almost penniless, but he loves Delysia enough to tolerate her
optimistic attitude. Neither of the male characters can live up to the classic
stereotypes, so Michael is the man of honor who looks at her with sadness and
longing until passion and devotion finally get the better of him.
The man he is looking for is
the one who has paid
And even if there's no deeper subversion of the character, it's at least perfect casting, because no one can play a melancholy, passionate romantic like Lee Pace. His charm and sad expressions give the character everything he needs. Otherwise, the men are secondary. This is a story about two women and it can't be Miss Pettigrew if Delicia has to choose between three men and none! The man she is looking for is Joe played by Ciaran Hinds. He's a rich man who dominates the fashion world but hasn't been eaten alive yet, and he's kind, honest, and a gentleman.
The film manages to entertain
as well as inform
For some
strange reason, he is engaged to Edith, which creates great drama for Miss
Pettigrew. It doesn't take long to figure out where this is all going, but the
fun part is how it gets there. Despite compelling characters and an equally
compelling plot, it would have been a greater achievement if the film
captivated rather than enthralled.
If you have no reason to stay
you may get bored
The
fashion of the late 1930s is gorgeous, and the atmosphere of that era is
present and pervasive from the screen. If I had to quibble, I'd say nothing in
this story is particularly daring or extreme, and if you have no reason to
stay, you might get bored.
It's a
story about entertainment
The
actors, their characters, and the inherent charm that permeates everything are
the best reasons to stay, but nothing stands out from a filmmaking standpoint
from an artistic standpoint. However, since this is a story meant to entertain,
and it does, those who go to be entertained and amused are sure to have a
life-changing day at Miss Pettigrew's.
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