BOTTOM
LINE:
Surprisingly
entertaining with sincere performances by the cast, “Miss
Pettigrew Lives For A Day” is an old-fashioned Hollywood film
that you do not normally see any more, despite its flare for being
overly dramatic at times.
THE
GOOD: One
of the great things about this film is that it is the type of film
that does not get made any more. Sporting an old-fashioned style
and look, the film is a farce and a genuine drama, all at the same
time. Frances McDormand lends a sincere gravitas to these proceedings
as the tough, but down-on-her-luck nanny Guinevere Pettigrew, who
out of a moment of desperation, unexpectedly finds herself as the
social secretary for the flamboyant American singer/actress Delysia
Lafosse (Amy Adams). What ensues is a trip through high society
and Pettigrew’s attempts to keep Lafosse out of trouble, to
hilarious, and sometimes touching results. Aside from the excellent
production design and visuals, the film is held together by the
genuine performances on display by the whole cast. They clearly
look as if they are all having a good time, but also find those
moments of drama and seriousness to make the whole exercise compelling.
The film, of course, gravitates to a happy ending where all the
characters end up with what they deserve, with the final sequence
being low key and satisfying thanks largely to the performances
of the actors in this scene, which could have so easily been pathetic
and contrived. “Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day” is a
fun way to spend a few hours.
