Penelope movie review
Rated PG. Starting James McAvoy and Christina Ricci. My family LOVES this movie and I felt it pertinent to review it here (tongue in cheek, of course).
Penelope is a young girl born with a PIG nose and pig ears because of a family curse. Her family tries to protect her by shielding her from the public and trying to bribe men to love her. One of her own kind must fall in love with her to break the curse. One young man (McAvoy) begins by being bribed to take a photo of Penelope, but begins to truly like her, although he has yet to 'see' her. All of their interactions are through a one way mirror. Eventually Penelope goes out into the world on her own and comes to the realization that she truly likes herself for who she is and she doesn't need the curse broken. Her personal revelation has the power to break the curse. Of course, true love prevails and McAvoy is a wonderful prince charming to Ricci's independent and resilient Penelope.
It is fitting that this movie is about a woman who has physical pig features that she must come to embrace and accept. In the meantime, the public comes to EMBRACE HER as she begins her journey. Ultimately, it is her own opinion of herself that transform her and frees her. It only seems fitting in light of the current comments by Obama in referencing Sarah Palin's nomination by stating that "you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig.". Ultimately, Sarah Palin remains strong in the face of blatant personal attacks, searing sexism, and hateful double standards.
Need an uplifting movie right now? See Penelope. McAvoy will melt your heart.
