Frances McDormand and Amy Adams in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (Focus Features)
By Eric Wilson
To begin, when I signed up to review Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (opening March 7 thoughout San Diego) I noticed the genre was "comedy." Soon I discovered that this film was a romantic comedy. Well, I could honestly say that I thought the movie would be a waste of time... however, I have been known to be wrong.
The film begins as Miss Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) is losing another job around the beginning of World War II in Britain. She is quite haggard looking and, obviously, living on the streets from check to check. She goes to her usual job agent to learn that no one wants her. But as the agent takes a call, she steals a card regarding a maid job. Miss Pettigrew goes to the address printed on the card and begins to work for Delysia Lafosse ( Enchanted's Amy Adams), the infamous actress/singer/sleep around. Soon Miss Pettigrew learns that Miss Lafosse is torn between three men: One for Money, One for Power, and One for Love. As the movie continues, the three men cycle through and Miss Lafosse is torn between them, and, if not for the help of Miss Pettigrew, she would have surely been discovered. The movie reaches what I believe to be the "romantic climax when the man Delysia loves decides to leave to America with or without her. Delysia ends up unsure and continues to a club that night to sing. It just so happens that a man who Miss Pettigrew has had her eye on is there as well. So Miss Lafosse has to decide on her priorities and Miss Pettigrew has to make some decisions of her own as we wait to see if each woman will end up with the person they "were meant for."
I've never been a real fan of "chick flicks," but I can honestly say, I really enjoyed this film. I would definitely have to recommend this as a good movie to take one's significant other to. I would even pay to see this film again, but that's just me. &
-- Eric Wilson is a high school senior attending Mount Miguel. He's a big fan of fantasy and adventure, and spends a lot of his free time playing World of Warcraft, Dungeons and Dragons, or console games. He also enjoys spending time at Balboa Park, wandering the nature trails or messing around at the archery range. Although he has wanted to be an architect or engineer, he would love to be able to get paid to review movies and he hopes this experience might help him get his foot in the door.
