MPAA Rating: PG, for thematic elements, some innuendo and language
Genre: Family/Drama/Comedy
Age range: Ages 8 and up
Runtime: Approx. 101 minutes
Starring: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage
Studio: Summit Entertainment
Director: Mark Palansky
Screenwriter: Leslie Caveny
Release Date: February 29, 2008
Penelope Movie Trailer
Penelope - Synopsis
In this modern day romantic tale, Penelope is about a young girl's inspiring journey, a mysterious family secret and the power of love. With all odds against her, in order for Penelope to break the family curse, she must find true love with “one of her own kind.” The warm and funny adventure leads her to realize the most important life lesson, “I like myself the way I am.”
Penelope Wilhern (Christina Ricci), born to wealthy socialites (Catherine O'Hara and Robert E. Grant), is afflicted by the Wilhern spell that can only be broken when she finds love. Hidden away in her family's estate, the lonely girl meets a string of suitors in her parent's futile attempt to break the curse. Each eligible bachelor is enamored with Penelope and her sizable dowry … until her curse is revealed.
Lemon (Peter Dinklage), a mischievous and eager tabloid reporter wants a photograph of the mysterious Penelope and hires Max (James McAvoy) to pose as a prospective suitor to get the shot. The handsome down-on-his luck gambler finds himself falling for Penelope, but not wanting to disappoint her or to expose his surreptitious ways, he decides to disappear.
Fed up by his latest betrayal and determined to live life on her own terms, Penelope breaks free from her family and ventures into the world alone. She finds adventure and Annie, her first friend (Reese Witherspoon) and becomes the person she was meant to be.
Penelope - Interesting Facts
The feature filmmaking debut of director Mark Palansky, Penelope was produced by Reese Witherspoon, Scott Steindorff, and Jennifer Simpson, and written by Leslie Caveny. Reese Witherspoon also plays one of the characters in the movie.
The movie is being described as a fable. Kids may be interested to know that a fable is defined as "1. a usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans. 2. A story about legendary persons and exploits."(Thefreedicitionary.com). Reading other fables and comparing them to the movie could be a fun learning activity for kids.
