Review of Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) by Rachel P — 12 Mar 2010

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is so magical that it makes its viewer fall instantly in love with its starry-eyed star, Amy Adams (it is either this or one has no heart). She is comedy gold, a singing powerhouse and Venus De Milo personified (she is in this movie, anyway, and the scene is inspiring).

Its one of the sweetest, most bubbly, most joyous cinematic experiences I had this year because of the unexpected, pleasant surprise it was. It feels lighter than air and it is full of charm and sophistication.

Lending Adams a hand in the acting department (she didn't need it because she could single-handedly carry this film!) are Frances McDormand (the Coen Brothers' leading lady) as the titular character, Lee Pace (TV's Pushing Daisies, A Single Man), Ciaran Hinds (HBO's Rome), Shirley Henderson (Moaning Myrtle in the HP films, Yes, Bridget Jones's Diary) and Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes, The Young Victoria).

Pettigrew is an out-of-work, down-on-her-luck governess who cannot hold down a job with the snooty upperclass peoples of London. While at her employment agency -- and having no luck finding a job -- she overhears a phone conversation of someone in need of a social secretary.

By slyly hunting down the address, Miss Pettigrew finds herself instantly offering a prospective employer (the delightful Adams) invaluable services, help and advice (in getting rid of an unwanted -- or more/less a currently un-needed man).

Believing that she couldn't possibly get through her day without Pettigrew, Delysia LaFosse (a social-climbing, nightclub singer and aspiring actress), hires her on the spot and insists she spend the day with her.

Pettigrew is in desperate need of money and so cannot really refuse. The day takes the pair to a ladies wear fashion show (the designer is played by Hinds), a fancy clothing boutique run by Delysia's friend (the snake, Henderson), across town, downtown and uptown all while juggling the three very different men in Delysia's life (Strong, Pace and Tom Payne).

A lot happens in this one day -- and one day is all we get (notice the title of the film -- but no worries, Pettigrew doesn't die -- she just truly lives for the first time in a long time). Pettigrew is one of those movies that came out of nowhere and surprised me with its winning ways.

This is the film that cinched my high-like for Miss Adams. This movie wouldn't satisfy everyone and it is very-much like a chick flick although it has much more wit and wisdom than those films oftentimes offer.

Taking place in 1939 London, it also fortells of the gloom that Londoners would very soon find themselves in with the start of the second World War. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a small, sparkly diamond of a movie.

It is the real deal led by two fantastic leads. By the end of the film, I was wishing it had been titled Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Week because I wanted more.