Set in 1939 London, this delightful period piece partially resembles a Noel Coward farce, mixed with some fairly sober commentary on the sexual gamesmanship and rampant hypocrisy among the upper classes. The story begins with judgmental and morally rigid governess Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) having talked herself out of yet another job. Hungry, desperate, and blacklisted by her former employer, the dowdy, middle-aged Miss Pettigrew takes a position as social secretary to glamorous young American actress Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams), who's inefficiently juggling lovers—theatrical producer Phil (Tom Payne), nightclub owner Nick (Mark Strong), and cabaret pianist Michael (Lee Pace)—in various attempts to further her career. Pettigrew not only manages to keep the bedfellows at bay while trying to persuade Delysia that sleeping around isn't really cricket, she also attracts the attentions of worldly lingerie designer Joe (Ciarán Hinds), whose engagement to a gold-digging fiancée (Shirley Henderson) has just broken up. Directed by Bharat Nalluri, working from a clever script by screenwriters David Magee and Simon Beaufoy (who adapted the novel by Winifred Watson), Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is an entertaining paean to the fabulous screwball comedies of a bygone era. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Bharat Nalluri, an 18-minute “Making an Unforgettable Day” making-of featurette, nine minutes of deleted scenes, “Miss Pettigrew's Long Trip to Hollywood” on the journey of Winifred Watson's novel to the big screen (8 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning film.] (E. Hulse)
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Focus, 92 min., PG-13, DVD: $29.98, Aug. 19 Volume 23, Issue 4
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
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