NOW ON DVD
 

MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY
Rated PG-13
Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Lee Pace, Ciarán Hinds, Shirley Henderson

Brian’s Rating       

The more I see of Amy Adams, the more I like her. Although she made earlier films, I first noticed her in Catch Me If You Can, as a lovestruck candy striper mooning over faux-physician Leonardo DiCaprio.

Then there was her Oscar-nominated turn in the underappreciated Junebug, which was just delightful.

Last year brought another triumph in Enchanted, and now we see her as the conniving coquette in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, now on DVD. And while this movie is ostensibly about Frances McDormand’s portrayal of Miss Pettigrew, an out-of-work governess whose life is miraculously turned around in the matter of twenty-four hours, this film belongs to Miss Adams.

Set in 1930s England, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day has all the charms and trappings of a period piece, but it takes the marvelous sets and fabulous costumes to help you overlook the film’s somewhat frenetic pace. Lighthearted and fun, this is a perfect couples movie.