CINEMA: Penelope

This thoroughly charming modern day fairytale is all about ignoring the superficial and learning to love who you really are. Although born into a life of privilege and wealth, Penelope (Christina Ricci) has inherited the family curse – she has a pig’s snout where her nose should be. In a bid to save her from the cruel taunts of other people, her well-meaning parents (Catherine O’Hara and Richard E. Grant) have kept her hidden away, hoping a handsome young man of her own social strata will overlook her abnormal snozzle and marry her without ever seeing her in the flesh.

However, Penelope has ideas of her own and when she meets the thoroughly unsuitable Max (James McAvoy), she embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will take her through the not-so mean streets of London to a wholly satisfactory happy ending.

Although some people will baulk at the cutesy concept of the film, it’s actually far more subtle then you may at first think. This is due to a tight script and some lovely acting, especially from the two leads and O’Hara in particular. The supporting cast does sterling work, including Peter Dinklage as a sleazy tabloid journo and Reese Witherspoon as a bike courier, helping to make this a sweet and clever delight.

Basically, this is the Shrek story without the animation but with all its warmth and humour.     Dee Pilgrim