A valentine to a by-gone era; one of the ten best films of 2008
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:139
Fresh:108
Rotten:31
Average Rating:6.6/10
Consensus: Miss Pettigrew is a breezy period comedy carried by the strong performances of Amy Adams and Frances McDormand.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for some partial nudity and innuendo.
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Mar 7, 2008 Limited
Box Office: $12,294,036
Synopsis: As in MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS and BEING JULIA, this period comedy brings wit and style to its depiction of 1930s London. Based on Winifred Watson's novel, MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY begins with... As in MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS and BEING JULIA, this period comedy brings wit and style to its depiction of 1930s London. Based on Winifred Watson's novel, MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY begins with the title character, a frumpy middle-aged governess winningly played by Frances McDormand (FARGO), being turned away from her employment agency. After losing her job prospects and all her earthly possessions in a mishap, Guinevere Pettigrew isn't sure where her next meal is coming from. But some cleverness leads her to the door of aspiring actress Delysia Lafosse, who needs a social secretary to juggle her three men: a nightclub owner (Mark Strong), a son of a theater producer (Tom Payne), and a piano player (Lee Pace). The first two offer her a chance at stardom, but the pianist can't give her anything but love. In a single day, Miss Pettigrew helps Delysia navigate the ever-stormy waters of love, while she learns that romance may not only be reserved for the young. With its witty script and jazzy score, MISS PETTIGREW may seem feather-light at times, but there's an undercurrent of sadness that gives the comedy a bit of weight. World War II is just about to come to London, and the echoes of the previous war still haunt those who can remember it. Unsurprisingly, McDormand gives a fantastic performance as the title character, but the effervescent Adams continues to surprise, even after turning in great work in JUNEBUG and ENCHANTED. As impressive as the two female leads are, there are some excellent performances from two male costars: Ciáran Hinds (MARGOT AT THE WEDDING) is perfectly warm as a lingerie designer Miss Pettigrew encounters, and Pace (PUSHING DAISIES) wins hearts as the faithful Michael. Costume designer Michael O'Connor also deserves praise for creating the film's eye-catching clothing. [More]
Starring: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Lee Pace, Ciaran Hinds
Starring: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Lee Pace, Ciaran Hinds, Shirley Henderson, Mark Strong
Director: Bharat Nalluri
Director: Bharat Nalluri
Screenwriter: David Magee, Simon Beaufoy
Producer: Nellie Bellflower, Stephen Garrett
Composer: Paul Englishby
Studio: Focus Features
Get This Movie
Reviews for Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a well-acted comedy with enough old-fashioned qualities to make it an enjoyable experience for long-standing audiences.
The spectre of impending war hangs heavily in the background of this romantic comedy, giving it a bit more heft.
Period comedies are a tough act to swallow for some, but if you are on the fence at all, please make sure Miss Pettigrew lives for more than just one day."
There's not a lot to it really--no deep underlying message other than an exploration of women's roles in society at the time.
In short, Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is fluffy and forgettable, but it's also undeniably entertaining, thanks to pacey direction and delightful performances from McDormand and Adams.
McDormand is left trying for emotional depth in a sea of middling farce and semi-sophisticated comedy.
It's lucky that Amy Adams and Frances McDormand lend their best charms to Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, otherwise this featherweight Art Deco fancy might drift away like a soap bubble, and go 'pop!'
American Lee Pace, from TV’s Pushing Daisies, manages not one but several creditable English accents, sometimes unfortunately all in the same sentence, but whose emotional depth shows up this ball of fluff as insubstantial. Forgettable.
The laughs are gentle but regular and all roles are played brilliantly, especially McDormand and the gorgeous Amy Adams as Delysia. Miss Pettigrew is 90 minutes of charming escapism – a perfect movie for mums.
Making a film usually involves a script, a director and a budget. Miss Pettigrew, on the other hand, is so unbelievably frothy, it looks as if it was prepared using merely a bucket of warm water and some soap flakes.
I can't imagine it appealing much to anyone below the age of 70. It offers a stale, rather than nostalgic, whiff of brilliantine and moth-eaten antimacassars.
Stagey fluff, yes, but old romantics will spare a sigh for the fairytale fade-out.
They don't make them like that anymore? Well, no. But Miss Pettigrew makes for a fun, fluffy substitute.
Despite its limitations, I found it impossible to dislike this frail little tale.
McDormand is frankly bland and unresponsive in a role she clearly couldn't care less about; Adams's wide-eyed ingenue routine is on autopilot, and the whole thing looks like a sub-prime American TV movie.
It’s a squirming watch, at times quite tortuous because the film can never decide if it’s a musical or a play with far too much music.
A gentle period piece that will look more comfortable on the small screen.
Adams is adorable as the wide-eyed would-be starlet, with McDormand spot-on as the sensible half of the odd couple. A delightfully frivolous screwball comedy.
A charming 1930s Cinderella meets Sex And The City, only faster, funnier and male-friendly, with some depths in its subtler observations of morality.
Latest News for Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
January 07, 2009:
People's Choice Awards Winners Announced
The 35th annual People's Choice Awards were handed out on January 7, 2009. A complete list of film nominees, with winners in bold, follows below. More...
August 21, 2008:
A neo-screwball hip comedy jazzed up with a classy swing score and a fresh coat of salty, rapid-fire conversations, this midlife Cinderella satire embraces the rude antics of the scandalous UK elite, as world war looms all around their silly, empty heads. ![]()
More...
August 18, 2008:
RT on DVD: Watch Terminator, Scorpion King 2 Exclusive Clips!
It's a monster week for DVD lovers, as we'll see tons of new movies, television shows, and direct-to-video flicks hit shelves. Read on for the week's highs (Terminator: The... More...
March 06, 2008:
Critics Consensus: 10,000 B.C. is Primitive; Bank Gets the Job Done
This week at the movies, we've got prehistoric passion (10,000 B.C., starring Steven Strait and Camilla Belle), travel travails (College Road Trip, starring Maritn Lawrence and... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 90% 90% | District 9 |
| 86% 86% | 500 Days of Summer |
| 63% 63% | Extract |
| 06% 06% | All About Steve |
| 78% 78% | It Might Get Loud |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day at Rotten Tomatoes
- Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Take a look at MSN's choices for the Top 10 films of 2009.

What were your favorites? Least favorites? The funniest and scariest? Moviefone wants to know!

Hollywood.com explores why QT's characters resonate so well with audiences.

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!







