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Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

(2008, Rated PG-13, Comedy, Starring Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Lee Pace)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Charming period comedy is a frothy fairy tale.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    An ambitious woman is poised to throw away the love of her life to achieve stardom; she juggles three suitors (without telling any of them about the others) -- one for connections, another for the thrill, and a third for love. Nevertheless, she's sweet and warm and helps Miss Pettigrew out of her shell. And in the end, love triumphs.
  • Violence:

    A fistfight breaks out in a nightclub, and a man punches another with glee. World War II looms over the entire proceedings as bombers fly over London.
  • Sex:

    Lots of sexual innuendo doled out in witty repartee; a woman walks into a bedroom and finds a man naked under a sheet (there's an oblique reference to his erection, though that word isn't used); Delysia swoons over her "passionate" suitors; at one point, she steps out of a bath and prances around naked except for a towel that covers her front (the side of her body from shoulder to legs is visible, but no sensitive bits); she also walks around in lingerie; another woman cheats on her boyfriend and is witnessed kissing another man.
  • Language:

    Squeaky clean, except for "hell" and "damn," which one character says doesn't really count as swearing anyway.
  • Consumerism:

    Signage for the Savoy Hotel; mention of a lingerie store; Miss Pettigrew and Delysia go shopping.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Cocktails flow easily and often; some social smoking (accurate for the period).
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Parents need to know that this is essentially a feel-good fairy tale, albeit one with adult overtones. There's some partial nudity -- Amy Adams parades around in one scene with nothing but a towel covering her front, for example -- and a handful of innuendoes. The plot is fairly mature, too, in that it's about a woman who craves stardom and will do everything -- including bed a producer -- to achieve it, even if it means losing the one man who's right for her. But there's no swearing except for "damn," and the smoking and social drinking are accurate for the late-'30s setting. And the movie approaches its heavier topics with a delightfully light touch, ultimately sending a positive, life-affirming message.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what drives Delysia to succeed. Do you see any parallels between her situation and that of today's aspiring media stars? Why are people willing to make sacrifices to be famous? Families can also discuss why Miss Pettigrew has such an effect on Delysia. What effect does she have on Miss Pettigrew? In the movie, they both undergo an overnight change; is that believable? If not, does it matter? What do they learn from each other?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Sweet Movie, but bad

    This movie, while very cute, deals with wholly "who is cheating on whom, and who is sleeping with whom". Unless you want to see male nudity a couple times, don't watch it. (Of course, it is a sweet movie)

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Very fun and Witty, an enjoyable movie for the whole family

    Perfect for a family with teenage kids who want to see a kind of movie Hollywood doesn't hold very much these days. Two thumbs up, and five stars across. I really recommend it.

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    Frances and Amy are delightful

    The timing is wonderful.

  5. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Entertaining period piece with a message

    This movie is a little slow to get going and is largely made up of fluff more than substance, but it is enjoyable and shows its depth with time. There is a bit more sexual innuendo than I would have liked for my 13 yr old, but nothing gets graphic. Overall more of an adult film, but my daughter enjoyed it (perhaps, mainly because of the preence of Amy Adams)

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

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