WE'RE ALL PENELOPES IN SOME WAYS

Every mention of the name Penelope and our minds drift to Tom Cruise's ex - Penelope Cruz. But this movie is nothing about a hot Latina with pouting lips. I've been meaning to write about this movie a few days back but I was so tired that I just can't afford to open my eye-lids any longer.

"PENELOPE" is a simple but beautiful movie, those movies that you watch for inspiration. Just what I need these days, something light but great to cheer me up.

The movie is about a girl, cursed to have a pig snout as a nose. Her mum faked her death and kept her hidden in the house. So, all of Penelope life, she spent in her 'castle'. It was said that the spell could be broken when she is 'loved by one of her own'.

With this, Penelope parents, especially her mum believe that by marrying her to a rich guy (one of her own) who love her will mean that she is 'loved by one of her own'. That would be the best for her because then her spell would be broken.

The movie tells us to love ourselves for ourselves - to accept ourselves for the way we are.

I believe that we all have insecurities and had wished that we could be more like someone else, don't we? I know I do. I never am happy with who I am. I mean, of course generally I feel contented with my life but there are times I wished that I wasn't me you know. I would wish that I'm taller, slimmer, have bigger eyes, nicer teeth...so many stuff that I dislike about myself physically.

Penelope hates her nose. She feels bad for herself in some ways. She feels intimidated and insecured though she seems strong. When she feels that way, she pushes everyone else away. I think it's always like that, don't you think? Because you feel that people aren't going to love you, why let them in and let them hurt you, right? Exactly! All this happens because of insecurities.

So since she keep scaring every suitor away, Penelope failed to find a husband. In fact, she purposely scare them all away. She didn't want to let anyone in, until she meet Max Champion.

Max was initially hired by a reporter to take a picture of Penelope. Max later got to know Penelope and really love her for who she is. Although at first shocked by how she looks, he really doesn't mind her looks at all. I mean, seriously, Penelope really isn't that bad looking. However, when Penelope asked Max to marry her, he refuses to and I was eager to find out why. Because of Max rejection, Penelope decided to run away from home and see the world.

The most beautiful feeling the movie had given me was the moment Penelope opened her house gate. The music accompanying the scene of the beautiful sky scrappers from Penelope's point of view is amazing. It aptly illustrate the feeling of awe, similar to how I felt when I was in Liverpool; every time I see the beautiful architectures, I can hear the beautiful melody ringing in my mind.

To get a mesmerizing effect:

Step 1: Open the doors/gates in slow motion

Step 2: Pan up to the most incredibly wonderful scenery

Step 3: Focus on the big eyes

Anyway Penelope had lived a few good days out in the world, independently and happily. She met some new friends - one of them, Annie (Reese Witherspoon). Nevertheless, her parents finally manage to track her down. She ran and ran and ran from her parents and finally she fainted (bear in mind, her scarf she's wearing does come in the way for breathing purposes). She woke up in the hospital and found all the reporters outside her room, eager to take her picture. She realized that nobody is actually scared of her. In fact, every one loves her.

All these years in her mind, she feels 'ugly' and 'hated'. Her mum indirectly causes this for constantly telling her how weird or bad she looks when in fact, Penelope, besides the nose, actually looks fine. In fact, she later discovers that she is not 'hated' like she was programmed to believe. Penelope, after that incident in the hospital became the local celebrity and Max of course was happy for her. He, who once gave up his passion for music due to his gambling has decided to turn a new leaf, inspired by Penelope.

Penelope was then arranged to be married to a rich 'jerk', who once had turned her down. But Penelope realized then realized that the 'jerk' doesn't love her, and it is pointless forcing others to love her since she loves the way she is. That is when her spell broke and she got her nose back. Her mother, for a few minutes learned her lesson - that she should have loved her daughter the way she is, before going back to her own ways, complaining about how her daughter's new nose could have looked better if it were a bit sharper. Then, we found out apparently the driver of the family is actually the witch who placed the curse on the family. This time, the witch cursed the mother, 'silencing' her, to everyone else's delight.

Towards the end of the movie, I also found out why Max rejected the marriage. He knows that he won't be able to break the curse, since he is 'not one of their own'; he is not 'rich'. He loves Penelope so much that he wishes that she be with someone who can break the spell. Of course in the end Penelope realized the truth and both of them ends up together.

I think everyone would enjoy Penelope - children, teens, adults or even older adults. This is a movie that a whole family can enjoy. It contains a fairytale, spell and magical elements that a child would enjoy, good moral values for everyone, romance and comedic elements for the teens and adults alike. A great watch!

I must add, if James McAvoy come across as a weird, almost paedophiliac dude in Narnia as Tumnus, he sure is a sweetheart in Penelope. I actually like him a lot here as compared to in Narnia and Atonement (which bore me to death by the way; thank God the ending made up for the whole movie). An actor/actress's choice of movies sure makes a difference. James McAvoy redeemed himself here really. Absolutely love him!

TC-My Rating: