Amy Adams must be an aficionado on costume dramas with a certain fairy tale theme to them. Not too long ago, she starred in another one called "Enchanted" in which she carried her charm, elegance and uplifting talent to both films, she was the principal reason why "Enchanted" and "Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day" so enjoyable to watch. The film is saturated with equal amounts of whimsical moments along with some well-intended romance. The Great Depression era London setting adds just the right amount offers a bittersweet, but yet touching moments of lightness making the settings less stressful. It's seems strangely odds for a story to have a romantic feel considering what time period this movie is set in. In spite of the decade of financial struggling and human suffering, "Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day" succeeds to have a feel- good approach and make you sit through without a worry in the world. Unlike "Enchanted", this movie had a tad bit more adult themes to it. Sure there's no real violence or vulgarity in the film, there are some brief nude moments including some suggestive positions from Adams and Tom Payne does exploit his rear end but at least it was brief and was quickly covered up. In some ways the character of Miss Pettigrew can be a hybrid of two characters from the classic fairy tale Cinderella as both the girl sporting the glass slippers and the fairy godmother who turned the doubtful into something possible. Set in London during the Great Depression in its later stages and with war just around the corner along with the woes of poverty and unemployment. Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) is a poor soul who's a nanny with limited skills is among the many who are destitute striving for food and employment. She eats out of soup kitchens and sleeps in train depots. Good fortunes come her way as she steals a job application from her former agency and is offered a job as a social secretary though she misinterpreted as another nanny position. When she shows up at the door of singer/performer Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams) she becomes perplexed. Nonetheless Miss Pettigrew gets adjusted to her position and becomes a commodity to her employer's overwhelming agenda and her equally harried life. There are three suitors who want to win her love. There's the nightclub owner Nick Calderelli (Mark Strong), there's the theatre producer Phil Goldman (Tom Payne) who would like to cast her in the lead role at the West End and then there's the penniless pianist ex- con Michael Pardue (Lee Pace). We all know who'll be the winner here. While Miss Pettigrew patches Delysia's situations, she's also caught in a love triangle of her own. She becomes smitten by a handsome, debonair lingerie designer named Joe Blomfield (Ciaran Hinds), but in her way is the stuck-up store owner named Edythe Dubarry (Shirley Henderson) There are two essential elements as to why this movie works on so many levels. For starters, the script was well executed by writer David McGee and Simon Beaufoy based off the novel of the same title by Winifred Watson. McGee and Beaufoy truly bring the characters to life as we are able to compare the advantages and disadvantages that both Miss Pettigrew and Delysia possess. Delysia lives the higher grounds of life flaunting everyday like it counts while Miss Petigrew remains grounded and low-key. They respect each other and form a certain bond like in the male versions of buddy movies. The other thing that works splendidly in this film were the performances. Every performer turned in a solid acting job and made their respected characters come to life. Adams was excellent as the energetic free-spirited actor singer while McDormand is very effective as the polar opposite. Lee Pace douses us with his likeness as the rightful underdog who gets the girl. Ciaran Hinds breaks away from villainous characters to play a more likable character which is quite refreshing. And Shirley Henderson is very wonderful in what could've been a one-dimensional bitchy character into making her with a dose of humanity. There's a lot to love about "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day". Keeps itself in an optimistic mindset from an era that was anything but, is very authentic with big band music and stunning costumes to fit the time period. It reflects serious humane issues like Miss Pettigrew helping her employer not fall in despair lie her. Adams steps up her game in her performance as always bringing life to her character. This truly is 90 minutes of time well spent.

When plays are adapted to movies, usually you have a boring result with limited action, restraint sets, almost live performances and a lot of talks ! Here, i've got all this feeling albeit it's not a play but a novel ! Sure the cast is excellent, all the more than it teams up several generations. The production is really amazing, inspired by English style, « Années Folles » design. The story is interesting as it's about being a woman in the male powered society that was England before WWII. So it's as much about Frances, the « old » jobless « social secretary » as about Adams, the young artist who is trying to fulfill her dreams. In a way, they are very similar and they team up perfectly : Frances has the experience and wisdom, Adams has the energy and social contacts ! However if the movie is good and doesn't bore, it's not a classic in the sense that it's not the kind of movie that calls for multiple viewing : maybe it's the social setting, maybe it's countdown time (just one day) but for me, one was good and enough!

Purchased as a closeout DVD, I hadn't a clue about the movie other than my respect for its leading actresses. Even then, I didn't open and play it for months. An absolute delight. The NY Times likened it to French farce; I agree and would throw in English comedy of manners, reflected in the whimsical titles: little letters that dance around until everything falls into place.The acting is wonderful- an ensemble effort with excellent portrayals of slightly over-the-top characters. The intelligent, poignant but sweet writing carries the day: simple and from the heart. Direction is fast paced with quick angles and swings, ordinarily techniques I wouldn't like, but here they carry the story, rather than just leaving me dizzy. The film is well crafted and cohesive from script to music, lighting and costuming to every foot hitting its mark in tempo and on beat. A delightful period piece, there was a tear in my eye and suspension of disbelief. It is sincere storytelling that wraps you in its arms and dances every dance.Like Miss Pettigrew, I watched alone, but the film was a wonderful partner and a romantic date I shall long remember.Charming!

Adapted from Winifred Watson's novel by the same name and starring the talented Frances McDormand, this film is a gem. The pace was crisp & whimsical, the acting delightful, and the script full of deliciously witty banter. McDormand has the rare gift of conveying hilarity with her subtle facial expressions alone, and she uses it to perfection here.Amy Adams holds her own opposite her, hitting just the right notes with her character's requisite over-the-top theatrics & the young-girl tenderness that lurks beneath. Shirley Henderson is so good as the funny and scheming Edythe that she would have stolen the show were she not accompanied by the other two strong actresses. If you liked her in this film, be sure to see her in 'The Way We Live Now', where she also shines, but in a slightly different way! The sub-theme of WWII was absent in the book and added to the film for creative reasons, and it really worked without making the film heavy or maudlin. I also loved the soundtrack. The period sets & costumes were so gorgeous, I had to keep pausing for a longer look. Don't miss the Bonus Features on both sides of the DVD.~NN