I can truthfully say that watching this abysmal fantasy-comedy is less rewarding than being slapped across the face with a large wet fish.
Comment
10/18/08
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 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 CriticIs this meant to be dark comedy? It's hard to tell.
06/25/08
Top CriticWatchable but patchy fantasy romance that doesn't quite work, despite strong performances from Ricci and McAvoy.
10/18/08
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
Director Palansky and screenwriter Leslie Caveny seem to have many of the right ingredients for creating something beguiling, but the film is, finally, surprisingly pedestrian. What a shame, with all these good performers.
02/29/08
Puts to rest the adage "Only a face a mother could love" because beauty trumps everything.
02/07/08
Anyone willing to tolerate the tortured premise of the story will be paid off handsomely by several winning performances and a moral that makes most of the absurdity worthwhile.
02/28/08
This fairy tale feels pleasantly down-to-earth.
02/28/08
A delightful little tale that nonetheless suffers from a distinct sense of déjà vu.
02/27/08
A diligent ensemble can't lift the film to anything higher than a shallow fairy tale with only worthy intentions.
07/19/08
Much as I would like to give Penelope unreserved praise, I can't stretch my lukewarm approbation that far.
02/27/08
Produced according to a formula for squeezing the maximum amount of cloying charm out of the minimum investment.
03/07/08
A sweet but clumsy fable that's pleasing without being particularly distinguished.
03/16/08
An adult fairy tale that is badly hobbled by its uncreative handling of its theme of finding one's true self.
03/05/08
Aspires to be a whimsical modern fairy tale about a princess, a family curse and self-acceptance but just can’t conjure up any magic.
02/29/08
Maybe I've got some subconscious porcine fetish thing going (or something) but I think Christina Ricci looks kind of cute with a pig's snout where her nose should be...
04/02/08
You know the outcome right from the start.
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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