Movie Review: Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day

Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day 

Starring: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Ciarán Hinds, Lee Pace, Tom Payne, Mark Strong, Shirley Henderson, Christina Cole, Stephanie Cole 

Director: Bharat Nalluri 

Focus Features, Kudos Productions Ltd., Keylight Entertainment Group, United Kingdom, USA, 2008. 

The movie is based on Winifred Watson's book, which was supposed to be filmed in late 1930s. However the World War II caused the filming plans to be halted.

In 1930s pre-war London middle-aged Miss Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) gets fired from her job as a nanny. She also loses her suitcase full of clothes. Employment office head Miss Holt (Stephanie Cole) gives her cold shoulder because of her previous work history, but Guinevere manages to snatch a tip about a vacant job. The employer Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams) however is not looking for a nanny but a secretary. She is an actress and singer who likes wild parties, which is quite a shock for puritan Guinevere.

Miss Pettigrew has a bad day

Delysia Lafosse likes to party

Delysia has an affair with three boyfriends: Phil Goldman (Tom Payne), Nick Calderelli (Mark Strong) and pianist Michael Pardue (Lee Pace). First task is to get Phil out of Delysia's bedroom before the other boyfriends see him. Phil's father is a theatre producer who may cast Delysia in a major role. With the help of Guinevere Delysia smuggles Phil out before Nick (Mark Strong) arrives. Nick owns the nightclub where Delysia performs. Reluctantly Guinevere stays to help Delysia who is trying to break-up with Nick. 

Phil would like to stay longer

Nick has some elevator problems

1930s style lingerie show

Delysia buys Guinevere new clothes. In an underwear show Guinevere casts her eyes on lingerie designer Joe Blumfield (Ciarán Hinds). Problem is that Joe is engaged to fashionist Edythe Dubarry (Shirley Henderson). Guinevere gets an extreme makeover. 

Guinevere meets Joe

Edythe has a stormy relationship with Joe

Extreme makeover

Michael wants to marry Delysia and gives an ultimatum: either she marries him or she never performs with her again. Delysia has to choose between the three men to gain either love or fame. Guinevere is an older woman with life experience and she gives guidance to Delysia.

Michael gives an ultimatum

Delysia in bubble bath

The movie is a nice period comedy in the style of Jeeves & Wooster. In set design Art Deco style is used. Music is nice 1930s Jazz, and the theme song "Brother, Can You Spare Me a Dime" is known in Finland as "Vippaa mulle viitonen".

Guinevere and Delysia

Welcome to the jazz club

Rating: Good