Live it up

Go ahead and get the large popcorn; you won’t want to leave the theater for refills. “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” has the perfect combination of clever wit and slapstick gags that only the British seem to have mastered. Cuttingly funny, emotionally moving and stuffed with great performances that burst from every corner of the screen, “Pettigrew” never fails to entertain and occasionally goes beyond, giving glimpses of real art in film.

The film tells the story of a down-and-out governess, Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand), who is fired from her job and finds herself homeless and penniless. Lying her way into one last employment opportunity, she quickly finds herself the social secretary of Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams, “Enchanted”), who needs help juggling her three boyfriends: Michael the lover, Phil the director and Nick the rich man. Miss Pettigrew helps her sort out her love affairs, while being transformed from a grungy hobo into a dazzling woman-about-town.

Set in London prior to World War II, “Miss Pettigrew” has a unique texture, featuring exquisite costumes, fantastic sets and a wonderful soundtrack. Varnished with the subtle wit of author Winifred Watson, whose book was adapted to make this film, “Miss Pettigrew” positively shines as it delivers two hours of solid, heartwarming entertainment.

Adams reminds us why she is the starlet to watch in Hollywood, as she once again demonstrates her unique ability to be innocent, manipulative, sweet, sexy, naive and naughty all at once. Men, if you can’t swallow your male pride enough to watch this great movie on your own, take a girl. She’ll love it, and so will you. (At any rate, it’s worth it to see Amy Adams in lingerie.) Frances McDormand gives a brilliant performance, glistening with subtle grace and wisdom, while conjuring up a lovable vulnerability uncommon to other mentor-type characters.

This movie is amazing. It grabs the audience in the first 10 minutes and gets them right where it wants them – laughing, sighing, groaning and grinning in all the right places. The perfect date movie, it would nevertheless be a shame to miss such a great film just because you’re single. And Miss Pettigrew wouldn’t stand for it.