This doesn’t do much to convince Penelope that her prince will come, but her circumstances certainly don’t quench her spirit. Not only is Penelope intelligent because the characters she’s made up and books have always been her trusted friends, but she doesn’t let her Mom’s repeated knocks at her appearance get her down. Instead, she basically accepts herself for who she is.
But when Max (McAvoy) shows up on the scene, her emotionally stability suddenly changes in the uncertain light of puppy love. But Max isn’t necessarily who he says he is. While Max seems like a financially challenged blueblood enlisted by a tabloid journalist named Lemon and a repugnant suitor named Edward (Simon Woods) to get a picture of “the pig girl,” the oh-so-charming Max may get the money he needs to continue his nasty gambling habit because he doesn’t run away. Unfortunately for Max, he gets far more than he bargained for when he actually starts to fall for Penelope.
Since he’s not a true blueblood, Max is convinced he can’t give Penelope what she really needs—freedom from the curse. So he, like so many before, takes a hike—and Penelope doesn’t quite understand why.
So will Penelope ever get a normal nose and a happily-ever-after-ending? You probably already know the answer, but will probably enjoy the journey all the same if your expectations are kept in a proper fairy-tale perspective.
CAUTIONS:
- Drugs/Alcohol: Social drinking pictured in several scenes.
- Language/Profanity: A couple of minor profanities including instances where the Lord’s name is taken in vain.
- Sex/Nudity: None, aside from some kissing and a couple of innuendos that’ll probably go over the heads of most pre-teens.
- Violence: At the sight of Penelope, the eligible bachelors leap out of her bedroom window, crashing through glass. An imagined version of Penelope’s fangs are bared in one scene that’s mildly disturbing.
- Gambling: Max has a gambling problem that he eventually overcomes.