It's Ricci, with her princesslike innocence and Keane-painting eyes, who provides the movie's abundant charm.
Comment
03/07/08
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
Despite Christina Ricci's charming performance, Penelope is trapped in a twilight zone between fairy tales and play-it-safe romantic comedies.
03/07/08
Penelope isn't really suitable for anyone. It's a boar.
03/06/08
The success of Juno has re-set the bar for whimsical tales of headstrong, intelligent young women grappling with life difficulties.
03/06/08
An adult fairy tale that is badly hobbled by its uncreative handling of its theme of finding one's true self.
03/05/08
A film of some ragged charm -- and one in which there's always something cool to look at in design and filmmaking style. And that's more than a lot of movies can claim.
03/05/08
A neat modern fairy tale.
03/05/08
'Penelope' is a sweet film that I rather enjoyed. It never hurts to be reminded that we should all be happy with who we are.
03/04/08
This film had the potential to be much more heartfelt, but the silly antics in the beginning, and the cool approach of the parents towards their "ugly daughter" undermine the poignancy that the filmmakers were obviously shooting for in the end.
03/04/08
Just downright lovely, a gorgeous fairy tale for children and grown-ups alike.
03/04/08
The material is flawed, to be sure, but the story is less predictable than you would guess and it exudes an easy-going wit.
03/03/08
I think it’s a sweet film.
03/03/08
Okay, so she's got a snout, but it's far from Rocky Dennis or John Merrick levels of grotesque.
03/03/08
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the film, but it's just not strong enough to be a real winner either.
03/02/08
How can a movie with this premise and this cast be so mercilessly dull and stupid?
03/02/08
A precocious fairy tale made for and starring people too old for whimsy
03/02/08
'What makes us different makes us beautiful,' touts the film's promo blurb. Good thought, but do any of the characters in 'Penelope' ever believe it? For sure this is a different film, but beautifully executed it is not.
03/02/08
the girl's ungainly snout is the only unique feature in this otherwise textbook fantasy.
03/02/08
A grim fairy tale at times, Penelope eventually lands in crowd-pleaser territory.
03/01/08
Penelope's brilliant cast carries the audience through of the film's minor iniquities and gives us a charming and delightful myth.
03/01/08
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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