Penelope

A rom-com at its finest! Quality plot, laughs, and love...and the important message that accepting yourself is the true key to happiness :'3

This movie is the cutest thing ever!

Watched this movie as a little girl and I remember that I loved it. Watching it now as an adult I'm pleasantly surprised that I still love it. This is what the genre romcom should be. Sure it has its flaws, but the rest of it makes up for it. Happy to have found it thriftshopping and to have it in my collection.

Rating: 8/10

Sort of a gender reversal of _Beauty and the Beast_, _Penelope_ is a charming fairy tale surprisingly set in modern times. The entire cast does amazingly well, especially Christina Ricci (_Casper_) as the lead. The message at the end is powerful, and, all in all, this was a fun one. The best part is that, unlike many modern films, it doesn't betray its MPAA rating.

Content Concerns:
Sex: Kissing, sometimes passionate; an illicit affair is discussed; a man is revealed to be a woman in disguise. 3/5
Nudity: Penelope and other female characters wear low-cut outfits at times. 4/5
Language: One or two uses of the d-word and h-word; just as many misuses of God's name. 3/5
Violence: People jump through windows in fright at the sight of Penelope; a woman is shown jumping off a cliff, but it isn't bloody or graphic; nothing really serious in this department. 3/5
Drugs: Characters, including Penelope, hang out in bars and get drunk. 4/5
Frightening/Intense Scenes: The implied suicide; Penelope's deformed face; emotional intensity throughout. 3/5
Other: Gambling; Penelope steals her mother's credit card; use of magic. 3/5

It was really cute and surprinsingly not just centered around the romance

I decided to give this a shot as part of my mission to see all things Reese Witherspoon. If you are thinking about watching it for that reason, don't. She is probably on screen for 10 minutes max. That doesnt mean it's not worth viewing though. I initially thought the movie was going to approach her problem in the traditional movie sense like _Powder_ or even _Lucas_ where all the kids mercilessly tease our subject. But here the parents(read mom) have sequestered Penelope for over 20 years. It kind of made me think which way is crueler? Kids will be kids but all Penelope wanted was to be herself as we learn here and when she does, well, watch and enjoy. Great supporting cast.