Is this meant to be dark comedy? It's hard to tell.
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06/25/08
Penelope (2008)
50
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:121
Fresh:61
Rotten:60
Average Rating:5.5/10
Consensus: Though Penelope has a charming cast and an appealing message, it ultimately suffers from faulty narrative and sloppy direction.
Theatrical Release:01-02-2008
Synopsis: Like Tim Burton's EDWARD SCISSORHANDS and the TV show PUSHING DAISIES, PENELOPE is a modern fairy tale, complete with candy colors and whimsical cinematography. PENELOPE begins with a... [More]
Starring: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Reese Witherspoon
Director: Mark Palansky
Reviews for Penelope
Top CriticThe convictions of the cast and an extremely snappy script fill in most of the gaps caused by the wobbly plotlines.
03/07/08
Top CriticWatchable but patchy fantasy romance that doesn't quite work, despite strong performances from Ricci and McAvoy.
10/18/08
I can truthfully say that watching this abysmal fantasy-comedy is less rewarding than being slapped across the face with a large wet fish.
10/18/08
Top CriticDespite an extremely uneven style, this modern-day fairy tale has plenty of charm.
02/11/08
A modern-day fairytale, the film is tarted up like a hyperactive five-year-old's lurid fantasy of interior decor.
10/18/08
Top CriticPenelope was in a trough of trouble before the oink on the script was dry.
02/29/08
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10/18/08
It's not eccentric enough to be as otherworldly as it wants to be, but it's too self-consciously quirky to perform on its own merits.
05/01/08
A precocious fairy tale made for and starring people too old for whimsy
03/02/08
More tart than sweet, this contemporary fairy tale provides a worthy vehicle for the fearless Christina Ricci.
02/28/08
Penelope is an odd concoction -- a witch's gentle brew of modern-day fairy tale, feather-light romance and slapstick comedy. It's not a knockout potion, but it goes down smoothly and is harmless enough to serve to the kids.
02/29/08
It's too bad that the second half turned out to be a drag, because I very much enjoyed the first half.
07/22/08
The most successful films in this genre rely heavily on production design, but unfortunately director Palansky decides to play it fairly straight here. Luckily, the film has an interesting story, for which all credit should go to writer Leslie Caveny.
01/18/08
Penelope is adorable and easy to watch thanks to the charms of its leads Ricci and McAvoy. But it's too much a mainstream Hollywood product and not enough of a spunky indie spirit to really win audiences over.
07/09/08
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04/23/09
Resembling the kind of tale Aesop might spin after one too many vats of homemade Ouzo, Penelope plods along on a desire to endear. All it really does is infuriate.
02/28/08
There is an underlying sweetness to Penelope, a root-for-her vibe that's only slightly diluted by the predictable story.
02/28/08
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10/18/08
Unfortunately, Penelope only masquerades as a film about self-acceptance and liking ourselves for who we are.
02/29/08
Latest News for Penelope
July 12, 2008:
With only a DNA witch's curse pig's snout compromising Ricci's otherwise exceedingly alluring physical assets, it doesn't make a lick of sense that prospective suitors are jumping out of windows after catching a glimpse of her disfigured beak. 
More...
February 28, 2008:
Box Office Guru Preview: Semi-Pro Set To Slam Dunk The Competition
A triumvirate of films opens this weekend, but all will bow to the power of the mighty Will Ferrell and his latest outrageous comedy, Semi-Pro. More...
February 28, 2008:
Critics Consensus: Semi-Pro is Semi-Good, Boleyn Girl Not Quite Movie Royalty
This week at the movies, we've got hapless hoopsters, snouted socialites, and scandalous siblings. What do the critics have to say? More...
February 28, 2008:
With only a DNA witch's curse pig's snout compromising Ricci's otherwise exceedingly alluring physical assets, it doesn't make a lick of sense that prospective suitors are jumping out of windows after catching a glimpse of her disfigured beak.
More...
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