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Based on the novel Penelope by Marilyn Kaye this urban fairytale could best be described as a reversed Beauty and the Beast chick-flick.  A curse is placed on the rich aristocratic Wilhem family, after their son slights the local witches daughter.  The curse entails that the next born Wilhem girl will have a face like a pig.  Fast forward to present day and Penelope Wilhem (Christina Ricci) is born, the first girl heir to the Wilhem family in decades.  She is told the only way to break the curse is to find “one of her own kind” to love her.  In an attempt to break the curse her parents (Catherine O’Hara and Richard E. Grant) subject her to a plethora of blue-blooded suitors. However, the suitors often run for their lives after seeing Penelope’s snouted face. In an attempt to get Penelope’s picture a nosey reporter (Peter Dinklage) hires a destitute gambler (James McAvoy) to act as a pseudo suitor.  Even though he never sees Penelope, the destitute gambler begins to gain a connection with her. However, when Penelope proposes marriage the destitute gambler turns her down.  Broken hearted, Penelope runs away from home to the see the world and finds more than she ever expected.

This is one of those movies where you don’t have to read the book to understand it.  I loved it and didn’t even read the book, but I think I will now.  Christina Ricci does a great job playing an innocent doe eyed oddity, who likes herself just the way she is no matter what obstacles she faces.  Thus, because her character is so endearing one forgets the snout and begins to really see how beautiful Ricci is.  Also, can I just say James McAvoy is pure hotness in this movie! (BTW can’t wait to see him in Wanted with Angelina Jolie.) His blue eyes literally pierce your soul.  In addition, the costuming and settings in the movie were equally beautiful, and had a lighter Tim Burton feel. (I’d compare it to Big Fish) However, I did get a little confused over the location settings. It looked like they shot some scenes in New York and others in London.  This is definitely not a dude movie, but will appeal to teenage girls and women who love magical romantic fairy-tales with fabulous outfits. See the trailer below!