'Penelope' puts twist on classic fairytale

by Hilary McNamara, associate editor

 

“Penelope” has the classic script featuring the princess waiting for her prince charming to save her, but with a modern twist.

 

Penelope Willhern (Christina Ricci) is a seemingly normal blue-blood child with all the privileges and more. Her parents (Catherine O’Hara and Robert E. Grant) want the best life for their daughter, but that is made impossible because of the Willhern curse. 

 

This curse can only be broken by love, and so the parents bring a string of blue-blood suitors to talk to Penelope day by day, though none of them see her without jumping or running out of the house.

One day, nosy reporter Lemon (Peter Dinklage), who wants nothing more than to expose her, sets up a plot. He hires Max (James McAvoy) to pose as one of her prospective suitors. The plan goes wrong when Max falls in love with Penelope and wants to keep her from harm’s way.

When Max lets Penelope down, that is the last straw. Penelope decides to take on the world and let them see her as she is. When she goes to New York, she realizes that there is this other world out there waiting for her.

In her adventures, she meets Annie (Reese Wittherspoon), a quirky delivery girl. Annie is her first real friend and shows Penelope a whole new life. Annie also gives her a sense of acceptance and proves being different is a good thing.

With the courage from her new-found friends and life, Penelope finally lets the world see her as she truly is. But, to her surprise, they accept her and embrace her.

This is an amazing fairytale, and it really has to do with self-love and loving yourself for who you are. Also, the costumes are absolutely phenomenal. They are what help to makes Penelope beautiful, even when others see her as “ugly” or “different.”

The set design really brings the fairy tale world alive without going overboard. It gives New York a magical edge while leaving the audience feeling youthful.

This is a movie for the whole family, a girl’s night out or even your date. I give this movie five out of five pigs.