Movie Review: "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day"

One day can make an incredible difference in a person's life, especially if that person is Guinevere Pettigrew, the poor but honest heroine of "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day." Set against the backdrop of pre-World War II London, director Bharat Nalluri has crafted a sweet, animated comedy that Nalluri calls a version of "Sex and the City" that takes place in 1939.

Frances McDormand Plays the Poor But Honest Miss Pettigrew

A London nanny by trade, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew's unflagging honesty keeps her from holding down a steady job. After receiving her walking papers from her latest employer, she returns to the employment agency, but the office manager doesn't want to send her out on any more assignments.

Miss Pettigrew learns, however, of an opening for a social secretary for Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams), an up-and-coming actress who has three men wrapped around her little finger. In a rare moment of dishonesty, Miss Pettigrew shows up at Delysia's apartment and finds herself immediately caught up in the romantic chaos that is Delysia's life.

Miss Pettigrew's Honesty is an Asset on this Particular Job

Surprisingly, the frumpy Miss Pettigrew and glamorous Delysia work well together, even though Guinevere has no experience as a social secretary. Miss Pettigrew gives sage advice to the young actress and, in return, Delysia helps transform her outward appearance so that she fits into the London social scene. Miss Pettigrew's candor also attracts the attentions of Joe (Ciaran Hinds), a party circuit regular who makes a living designing women's lingerie.

"Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day": A Wartime Fairy Tale

Winifred Watson's novel of the same name serves as the source material for "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" and director Bharat Nalluri makes good use of Watson's work. Nalluri has created a film that is less bedroom farce and more of a fairy tale about a working class woman who finally breaks out of her comfort zone.