Penelope

Well, THAT was a treat!

"Penelope" boasts a terrific cast:

• Christina Ricci ("Monster" and "Sleepy Hollow") is Penelope, the pig-faced girl, doomed by an old, old family curse that will doom her to seclusion until she "finds true love."
• James McAvoy ("Atonement" and "Starter for 10") is the semi-loser who is hired to obtain a picture of this reclusive heiress for a tabloid.
• Peter Dinklage ("Death at a Funeral" and "The Station Agent") is the tabloid journalist who wants the picture.
• Catherine O'Hara ("A Mighty Wind" and "Best in Show") is Penelope's frantic mother.
• Richard E. Grant ("Gosford Park" and "Colour Me Kubrick") is her befuddled father.
• Reese Witherspoon ("Sweethome, Alabama" and "Walk the Line") has a bit part as a messenger/delivery girl (on a Vespa) who befriends Penelope. She also serves as Executive Producer of the film.

This movie was completed and first released in the UK in 2006. I suspect it has undergone some additional editing, as the movie still has credibility problems, but everything else is just fine. As to those credibility problems: In my opinion, when you put your money down for a ticket, you agree to suspend disbelief, right? Who wants to pay to see real life, anyway? Of course the would-be suitors overreact a bit too much, and the butler really shouldn't wear trainers (sneakers), but other than that.....

This film has the right intentions, is suitable for teens, has wonderful production values, is populated by extremely capable actors and has a happy ending. Now come ON! What more can you want?

I thoroughly enjoyed it.