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Plot, Details & Awards

Penelope

(2008)

Rated PG for thematic elements, some innuendo and language.

PG In Theaters 02/29/2008 , 101min.
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Plot & Details

A kindly aristocrat suffering from an unsightly curse breaks free from her extravagant, prison-like estate to seek adventure and discover her true self in a romantic, modern-day fairy tale directed by Mark Palansky and starring Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Peter Dinklage, and Reese Witherspoon. Generations ago, a witch placed a curse on the Wilhelm family that would result in the next girl being born into the clan having a porcine snout -- and now young Penelope (Ricci) has fallen victim to the vengeful hag's unsightly grudge. When tabloid reporter Lemon (Dinklage) runs a misleadingly frightening photograph of the kind-hearted Penelope, her parents, Jessica (Catherine O'Hara) and Franklin (Richard E. Grant), lock the girl away in a sprawling mansion. Though it is said that the curse can be lifted if a man of Penelope's status takes her hand in marriage, every man who lays eyes on the girl takes flight at first sight, never to return -- until the arrival of Max (McAvoy), that is. An unrepentant gambler with a heavy heart and an ulterior motive for meeting Penelope, Max is unexpectedly caught off guard by the pig-nosed girl's disarming charm, and suddenly flees before carrying out his nefarious plan. Now determined to throw caution to the wind and explore the world on her own terms, Penelope makes the acquaintance of independent-minded delivery girl Annie (Witherspoon), who fast agrees to join her newfound friend on the ultimate journey of self-discovery.
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • Genre(s): Comedy
  • Run Time: 101min.
  • Theatrical Release Date: 02/29/2008
  • DVD Release Date: 07/15/2008
  • Distributor(s): Summit Ent.
  • Director(s): Mark Palansky
  • Starring: Christina Ricci , James McAvoy , Catherine O'Hara , Peter Dinklage , Richard E. Grant
  • Themes: Mothers and Daughters,Curses and Spells,Misfits and Outsiders
  • Tone: Grotesque,Fanciful,Sweet,Whimsical,Light,Quirky
  • Keywords: aristocrat,curse,disfigurement,pig,reporter,tabloid
  • Country of Origin: USA - Limited (02-29-2008)
  • Language: English

Awards

Toronto International Film Festival

Year Award CategoryCast & Crew Result
2006 Toronto International Film Festival Film Presented Nominated
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