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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'm shocked at the lukewarm reception this gorgeous period drama has had in the reviews: it's one of my favourite films of all time. Many of my friends, family and workmates feel the same way!
This film adaptation is certainly not faithful to the (also excellent) novel but it still had me spellbound from start to finish. It possibly helped that I saw the film first - so many here seem to have loved the book, and then therefore been disappointed by the differences in the film. I, however, find it impossible not to deeply sympathise with and then admire the central character, Miss Pettigrew. The patterns and rhythm of the elegantly written dialogue and choreography always keep me riveted. The music vividly evokes the action on screen and the cinematography is lush.
While the pace and tone are definitely light-hearted, lively and upbeat during most of the film, there are some darker undertones which help prevent this from being the one-dimentional "superficial" film that it initially appears to be. Set as the second world war begins, there are some understandably sombre moments when the older characters reflect on their experiences of WW1. Also, always at the back of the audience's mind is the fact Miss Pettigrew's role as "Social Secretary" is only a thin veneer over her poverty-stricken reality - a veneer which could crack at any moment and return her to the soup-kitchen queues.
The theatrical humour and the fantastical plot do, however combine to prevent the film from taking itself too seriously. It's a brilliant piece of escapism.
"Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" really is a surprising and uplifting treasure.
This film adaptation is certainly not faithful to the (also excellent) novel but it still had me spellbound from start to finish. It possibly helped that I saw the film first - so many here seem to have loved the book, and then therefore been disappointed by the differences in the film. I, however, find it impossible not to deeply sympathise with and then admire the central character, Miss Pettigrew. The patterns and rhythm of the elegantly written dialogue and choreography always keep me riveted. The music vividly evokes the action on screen and the cinematography is lush.
While the pace and tone are definitely light-hearted, lively and upbeat during most of the film, there are some darker undertones which help prevent this from being the one-dimentional "superficial" film that it initially appears to be. Set as the second world war begins, there are some understandably sombre moments when the older characters reflect on their experiences of WW1. Also, always at the back of the audience's mind is the fact Miss Pettigrew's role as "Social Secretary" is only a thin veneer over her poverty-stricken reality - a veneer which could crack at any moment and return her to the soup-kitchen queues.
The theatrical humour and the fantastical plot do, however combine to prevent the film from taking itself too seriously. It's a brilliant piece of escapism.
"Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" really is a surprising and uplifting treasure.
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I recommend this film if you are one, like me, who sometimes needs to be entertained without having any demands made on one's intellect or powers of analysis.
The novel on which it is based is a fizzy cocktail of a read, and the film is a faithful adaptation in that respect, although some twists were invented and liberties taken in order to add a few more interesting facets to plot and character. The essential Cinderella story (or, more accurately, the story of a down-and-out but deserving woman who takes advantage of the situation at hand in order to better her own circumstances) is preserved. The art deco sets are sumptuous, and the period songs that supplement the film score set the tone wonderfully.
Amy Adams would not have been my first choice to play Delysia LaFosse (is that a name, or what??); nevertheless, she is appropriately flighty and alluring. Frances McDormand does a marvelous job as Guinevere Pettigrew(another rather startling name). But the main attractions for me are the male stars, particularly Ciaran Hinds and Mark Strong, who play the prosaically named Joe and Nick, respectively.
I actually liked the movie better than the book, perhaps because the wonderful cast skillfully fleshes out what would otherwise be a rather slender story for a feature film. Make yourself a fizzy cocktail, pop this DVD into the machine, and enjoy.
The novel on which it is based is a fizzy cocktail of a read, and the film is a faithful adaptation in that respect, although some twists were invented and liberties taken in order to add a few more interesting facets to plot and character. The essential Cinderella story (or, more accurately, the story of a down-and-out but deserving woman who takes advantage of the situation at hand in order to better her own circumstances) is preserved. The art deco sets are sumptuous, and the period songs that supplement the film score set the tone wonderfully.
Amy Adams would not have been my first choice to play Delysia LaFosse (is that a name, or what??); nevertheless, she is appropriately flighty and alluring. Frances McDormand does a marvelous job as Guinevere Pettigrew(another rather startling name). But the main attractions for me are the male stars, particularly Ciaran Hinds and Mark Strong, who play the prosaically named Joe and Nick, respectively.
I actually liked the movie better than the book, perhaps because the wonderful cast skillfully fleshes out what would otherwise be a rather slender story for a feature film. Make yourself a fizzy cocktail, pop this DVD into the machine, and enjoy.
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'm very surprised by the reviews so far - I thought this film was wonderful.
Refreshing, sparkly and great to watch with girlfriends, mums and grandmas alike, this film was a pleasant surprise for three 30-somethings who popped into a cinema to escape the rain one afternoon.
I haven't read the book so I can't comment but if you would like to escape the modern world then this is an old-fashioned, sweet, beautifully shot little joy.
Refreshing, sparkly and great to watch with girlfriends, mums and grandmas alike, this film was a pleasant surprise for three 30-somethings who popped into a cinema to escape the rain one afternoon.
I haven't read the book so I can't comment but if you would like to escape the modern world then this is an old-fashioned, sweet, beautifully shot little joy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A delight !
I have just had the pleasure of watching this on Netflix. I don't think I would have bought or rented the film so I'm really pleased to have seen it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by fivestarfrankie
Miss Pettigrew lives for a Day, DVD
Excellent, feel good, romantic film. Just right when one is feeling in need of a little warmth. This was recommended to me by my granddaughter.
Published 1 month ago by Elise
Oh to live for a day like Miss Pettigrew!
I bought this film in a mad moment because it appealed to me, and I vaguely remembered good reviews in the press when it was first released. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Agnes X Nitt
A lot can happen in a day.
This movie is something of a literary classic, and grows on you on reflection. I say this because the first time I saw it I had misgivings until I re-watched it bearing in mind the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Uenna
Miss Pettigrew is better in print!
I had been waiting for ages to see this film,I'm afrain I was disapointed.I love the book and expected this film to have the same punchy feel to it. Read more
Published 8 months ago by lynn
Disappointing
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a 2008 British/American romantic comedy film based on the charming 1938 novel of the same name by Winifred Watson. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Grahame
Magic and delicious
It's clearly a fairy-tale, so what?. The mere sight of the dvd, not to mention the movie itself, makes me smile and feel good, which are two excellent reasons for anyone to like a... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Martha Marino
Fabulous!
This is a brilliant film and a wonderful story, marvellous adaptation of the book, a true compliment to Winifred Watson's written text. Read more
Published 17 months ago by S. A. Bollongino
A travesty
My advice to those who have read and enjoyed Winifred Watson's delightful book is: don't watch this travesty of a screen adaption. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Good book
Enjoyable viewing
Having caught the first 15 minutes of this movie & messed up recording the rest as I was rushing out, I just had to see the rest.
It didn't disappoint.
It didn't disappoint.
Published 23 months ago by Sue B.
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