A week or so ago I wrote about my thoughts on the new movie Beastly. (Y'know how its a "modern take" on the classic Beauty & The Beast blah blah blah.)
Well, shortly after I wrote that I remembered the movie Penelope, which according to IMDB.com is described as:
"A modern romantic tale about a young aristocratic heiress born under a curse that can only be broken when she finds true love with 'one who will love her faithfully.' "
Penelope stars my favorite childhood actress Christina Ricci as well as the very handsome James McAvoy in a fairy tale that is pretty much everything I described in my rant of what I thought a "modern take" on Beauty & The Beast could be like.
I've seen this movie twice. (Admittedly, the first time I fell asleep half way through, but that wasn't because I found it boring, it was because I had started the movie really late and it was way past my bed time!) Last night I watched it again, (this time starting it at a decent hour!) and fell inlove with the story.
The main character and narrator of the story is Penelope, a girl born with a terrible curse that was placed on her family long before she was a twinkle in her parent's eyes. Her mother hides Penelope away, and finds men who she believes will be able to break the curse by bringing them in to a room where Penelope converses with them through a mirror. She can see them, but they can't see her. Any time she reveals herself men go jumping through glass windows to escape her hideous face.
All, but one.
What I loved about this movie was the messages it sends to viewers. (Especially to the girl viewers.) You have a power inside yourself you're not aware of yet, you don't need a man to be the hero and save you (but if you end up with one, that's a bonus!), and accepting yourself for who you are will make you live a more fulfilling life.
(SPOILER ALERT) Penelope had the power to break the curse all along. She was finally glad to be herself, and that in itself is an important message. But, the part that warmed my little cynical heart right up was that after she found the power within to rid herself of the curse, she claimed her independence by working as a teacher, and even missed her pig like face. Then, after some time had passed she went to see the one who didn't jump out the window.
The Best Scene
Important Note: He kissed her with the mask still on, not knowing or caring if she had a pig snout for a nose. He loved her all the same. When she revealed her face and had a "normal" nose, he backed away, in shock, and with a hint of sadness. Then, he cautiously approached her again because, he realized he loved her for who she was, not just what she looked like.
I know I did a lot of "spoiling" for this movie. But, you should still watch it. Seriously. I don't do the movie, Christina Ricci, or James McAvoy justice, but I tried.
That's all for now!
Enjoy your weekend!
Much Love,
XoXo
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