Cinema with Style: Penelope

Halloween is nearly upon us and if you're not much into the darker side of this holiday, then allow me to recommend a heart warming story with some serious style.  One of my favorite films of all-time is delightful 2006 romantic comedy, Penelope, starring Christina Ricci, Catherine O'Hara, and James MacAvoy does have a bit of a Halloween theme, so I think it's totally appropriate to make it a fall selection alongside other such non-murder and gore classics as Hocus Pocus and The Addams Family. 

Penelope, played by Christina Ricci, is a girl like any other...except for the fact that due to a family curse, she is born with a pig nose.  The only way to break the curse is for her to be accepted by one of her own kind.  Locked in her tower by her over-protective mother, played by the always delightful Catherine O'Hara, her family is determined to hide her away until they find a man who will marry her and break the curse.  And you thought your dating life was complicated!

In true Rapunzel fashion, Penelope sets about making everything in her home and wardrobe as beautiful and interesting as possible.  There is not a blank space to be found, everything is so charming, detailed, and rich in color.  She makes a dream world around her.  I don't want to ruin this flick for you, so suffice to say, she meets lots of interesting people like James MacAvoy and Reese Witherspoon and has quite a few misadventures along the way.  Now to the fashion!

This movie has some serious style that even 20 years later I am still gaga over.  Prints, textures, colors and fabrics are all masterfully combined to make a film that is as much a feast for the eyes and it is a treasure for the heart.  The costumes are the work of designer Jill Taylor who also worked on films such as Me Before You and My Week With Marilyn.

Check out the buttons on this coat, mismatched and yet perfectly composed.  Everything in this film is so well thought out that it truly comes as close to a real-life fairytale as any movie ever could.

As is the case in every single one of his movies, you will see James MacAvoy stare intently into the camera as his huge blue eyes tear up and Peter Dinklage is in fine form as well in this movie. So, if you're looking for something a little less bloody and a little more heartwarming this Halloween, you won't regret an evening with Penelope.