 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Penelope
- Review Date: February 27, 2008
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Offbeat romantic comedy is sweet but lightweight.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this fairy-tale-like film has a lot of heart. There's not much iffy content (a bit of drinking and innuendo is the bulk of it), and the main character is devoted to discovering her own identity and making peace with her circumstances, though it's sometimes hard for her to overcome her shame. Her parents -- especially her mother -- can't seem to accept her as she is, which could be upsetting for some younger viewers. But in the end (naturally), everything wraps up nicely.
What's the story?
Born to a privileged family burdened by a curse, pig-nosed Penelope (Christina Ricci) will only get a human snout when she finds true love with one of her "own kind." Mindful of a scandal, her parents (Richard E. Grant and Catherine O'Hara) fake her death and lock her away until she's grown up, at which point they begin hunting for a suitable -- and, more important, willing -- mate. The "auditions" for a hex-breaking aristocrat begin straight away, but every time Penelope reveals herself, the men run off. One, disgraced after no one believes his tales of a monster on the loose, hires a muckraker named Lemon (Peter Dinklage), who hatches a plan to hire Max Campion (James McAvoy) -- a down-on-his-luck blueblood with a gambling problem -- to snag a picture that will sell lots of tabloids. But Lemon didn't bet on Max having a heart (not to mention a soul); soon, Penelope is unmasked, Max rejects her, and she's left to figure out what how to live happily ever after -- with and without the boy.
Is it any good?
Brimming with style and whimsy, PENELOPE is a traditional fable set in a too-exquisite, retro metropolis. It's genuinely lovely to look at -- even that nose, which doesn't actually seem so bad. But although it's amiable -- aided in part by an appealingly rakish McAvoy and a game, though disconcertingly tame, Ricci -- it's a half-baked soufflé that collapses midway. Despite all of its fairy-tale trappings, it's not really any less predictable than any other mainstream romantic comedy.
The supporting cast is generally strong -- O'Hara is delightfully caustic -- though Reese Witherspoon's cameo turn as an "edgy" messenger Penelope befriends doesn't work because, well, she doesn't believably have an edge. As for the film's central question -- can a sweet girl with a pig's snout find true love with one of "her own"? -- the answer is this: What exactly does "one of her own" really mean?
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how this movie is like a fairy tale. What does it have in common with more traditional "once upon a time" stories? How is it different? What lesson do Penelope and her family learn from their curse? Are the men's reactions to Penelope understandable or reprehensible? What shapes their expectations of how a woman ought to look?
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AGE
A very good movie! My older sister and I loved it!
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AGE
too much for young kids
its too much based on a man througing all his money away on gambling and playing cards.not a very good kissing scene
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AGE
was kinda boring.
very difficult to sit trough.
missed half of the story because i fell asleep.
on the whole VERRRRRRYYYYYYY BAD AND BORING
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AGE
Awesome movie, but watch out!
I hated when the men ran away from Penelope, but it was a very good movie! Penelope does drink, but she's 25. The movie says that you should like yourself for who you are, and to never get up.
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AGE
Romantic Movie with No Faults
I LOVE this movie! I watched it with my friend and my sister who was six at the time and she didn't love it as much as me because she didn't understand it but she watches it now and loves it because she can understand it. It is a sweet movie with a WONDERFUL message. The drinking and smoking isn't awful, and Penelope is older so she needs to learn to drink. The language slips 4 or 5 times in the entire movie, and is just a h--- or d---, nothing worse. It is just romance, so it has to have some intense kissing, which I personally loved. This will appeal to ages 7+
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AGE
The Perfect Pre-Teen Girl Power Movie
My 13 year-old saw this movie when she was 11 and it was the perfect pre-teen film for her to see. I found it just when I'd given up hope of finding an appropriate movie for her age. I'd been lamenting that there was nothing between little kid movies and inappropriate PG-13 films for her to see. Penelope is the perfect answer to this dilemma! Enjoy!
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Kid, 11 years old
October 19, 2009
AGE
Uhhh...
Ummm... I'm not big on the kissing, but I guess its an ok movie.
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AGE
Perfect for Tweens
I really loved this movie. I thought that the end kissing sequences should have been more moderate. Penelope did have a few too many drinks in the middle, (and resulted drunk), but it was a very clean movie. A little moderate cussing, but approved for 9+!
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AGE
Lovable Love Story!
This movie was great! A long time ago there a curse was set on the next baby girl born in the family. Penelope is the first one. After a gazillion guys, one who actually might love her shows up. But he's not rich so he doesn't accept her. He wants her to break the spell and be happy. That to me was so sweet. This guy - James McAvoy - did a great job. Of course it ends with the finally every after but I don't want to expose much for those who haven't seen it. Its like a fairy tale and told like one, so its pretty cool for the whole family. All the actors were great. The worse things they show are gambling and drinking and two kisses. Like if they were a huge factor! Watch this movie its a lot of Fun!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Studio: | Type A Films |
| Director: | Mark Padansky |
| Cast: | Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 28, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | July 14, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic elements, some innuendo and language. |
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