Home > Movies > Movie Review > Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

An old-fashioned love story fresh enough to give you chills

By Matt Pais

Metromix
March 5, 2008

Critic's Rating:

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In 1939 London, down-and-out (and fully frumpy) Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) finds new employment posing as a "social secretary" for American actress Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams), whose three boyfriends serve her various interests in fame, security and companionship. Together, Miss Pettigrew and Delysia experience a madcap day of confusion, heartbreak and self-discovery.

Big question: Complicated love. A WWII backdrop. A dab of screwball comedy. Is this tale, adapted from Winifred Watson's novel, some sort of lighter spin on "Casablanca"?

Catch it: A movie built on perfectly timed laughs and clarinet flutters, "Miss Pettigrew" comes alive in McDormand's weathered sadness and Adams' ambitious eyes that mask the fear of a social climber who still remembers being the bottom rung. Among a lot of hubbub about what it takes to make it in entertainment, the story’s about the way purity shines through pretense and the conundrum of choosing love or money that, once you’ve chosen, doesn’t seem that difficult after all.

Skip it: If you think there are no consequences to throwing your bra on a chandelier in a moment of passion. As Delysia finds out, it's just one more thing to clean up when your other boyfriend comes home!

Bottom line: "Miss Pettigrew" is full of happiness waiting to bloom and an irresistible, splendid little picture that could probably thrive on stage. Everything comes out a bit tidy in the end, but you don't complain when your clothes stay white in the wash, do you?

Bonus: While he takes a liking to Miss Pettigrew, fashion guru Joe (Ciaran Hinds) explains that a great deal of engineering goes into making men's socks. Finally a defense for anyone out there who has trouble putting them on straight!

What do you think of 'Miss Pettigrew'? Email me: mpais@tribune.com

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