Review of Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) by Walter M — 03 Jul 2009

In "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day," Guinevere Pettigrew(Frances McDormand) has more pressing problems on the eve of war such as eating after she has been summarily dismissed from her latest position as a maid. Desperate, she poaches a name from an employment agency which belongs to Delysia Lafosse(Amy Adams), a singer and wannabe actress whose plan is to get the lead in the new play by Phil(Tom Payne) by having sex with him. This is the first mess that Guinevere has to clean up as the apartment is owned by Nick(Mark Strong), a nighclub owner, who is on his way up.

For a movie that seeks to critique the shallowness of society by turning the idea of personal transformation against itself, it is ironic that most of the charms of "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" do not run very deep with the exception of the scenes between Frances McDormand and Ciaran Hinds. This is a shame because there is a very capable cast that is up to the task that includes Lee Pace and Mark Strong. And Amy Adams proves that she may be the one person working today who can bring new life to screwball comedies and musicals.(I bet she could do justice for westerns, too.).