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"Penelope": Christina Ricci has a nose for the bizarre

Christina Ricci has done several odd little movies. It has made me wonder if her time as Wednesday Addams perhaps twisted her psyche. Or maybe it was her early exposure to Cher and Winona Ryder in Mermaids that gave her a warped view of the world.

It's not that I'm complaining. I happen to like the sometimes peculiar movie choices that accompany her apparently warped world view. I love that she's all over the map in what she does, from Monster to Speed Racer and The Opposite of Sex to Sleepy Hollow. She's the actress least likely to get sucked into a romantic comedy rut. Of course, that's not to say she can't do romantic comedy. In fact, she has. But, Christina Ricci being Christina Ricci, her romantic comedy choice isn't exactly what you would call typical.

Since 2006, a movie called Penelope has been making the festival rounds with little fanfare. The lack of attention is surprising, considering the cast includes not only Ricci, but also Catherine O'Hara, James McAvoy and Reese Witherspoon.

Ricci plays the title character, a woman who has been locked away in her home since birth by her overly protective mother, played by O'Hara. You see, Penelope was born with a pig snout for a nose. Her mother didn't want poor Penelope to deal with the slings and arrows of hateful children, so she kept her safe at home her whole life. But now, in order to break a family curse, Penelope must find a husband who will accept her, snout and all. Think I'm pulling your leg? Here's the trailer as proof.



As you may have noticed, I'm rather fond of Christina Ricci. Call me crazy. I like women who seem just a teensy bit off-kilter. They make life more interesting. But more than that, I like a woman with a good dose of attitude. And while Ricci appears to be the soft little femme of this particular film, Reese Witherspoon is looking particularly badass.

Chrstina Ricci with a pig snout falling for James McAvoy (who has exquisite taste in co-stars) and making friends with a badass Reese Witherspoon in motorcycle leathers — what could be better than that? OK, Reese riding an actual motorcycle, rather than a Vespa, would be better, but I'm not going to get greedy here. I'll be heading for a theater near me when Penelope opens in February. How about you?

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  • funny buisness's picture

    Yeah,

    I'm totally gonna watch this, it looks good and I like Christina Ricci in almost everything! 

     

     

     

    *I'm aware that I have a silly typo in my nickname*

    TheWeyrd1's picture

    hee hee hee...Reese Witherspoon in leathers...

    I think I'll watch it when it comes out on DVD...so I can drool in private...
    gabydejongh's picture

    Of course I'm going to go see it!!!

    I think the snout is adoreable! However, I can't seem to get Christina in "Black Snake Moan" out of my head...
    jackedup77's picture

    "Black Snake Moan"

    saw the trailer for that. Looked oddly interesting. Would you recommend it?
    gabydejongh's picture

    Black Snake Moan

    Absolutely! Christina is topless throughout most of the movie, Samual L. Jackson sings the blues, and Justin Timberlake doesn't play himself. If you like quirky movies about quirky people, then you'll dig this one. And, it takes place in the deep south. Very entertaining!
    MsWoo's picture

    It is a young adult novel, and it is quite cute.

    My kids enjoyed the book - or what we read of it. The first half is interesting, but by the time Penelope gets out into the world, it loses something. The original teaser of this was much better, and kept Penelope's looks more of a mystery.

    Still, the movie should be quite good.

    curlyhair343's picture

    Does this open everywhere or

    Does this open everywhere or select theaters. I want to see this!
    perfectflaw75's picture

    I'm not a fan of romantic comedies

    ... but "Penelope" looks interesting. 

    _ _ _ _ _

    "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." (Dr. Seuss)

    boywithmoonandstars's picture

    The goggles!

    Flat out adorable. I'll see this if it makes it to the sticks, or on DVD eventually.
    Arcane Tremere's picture

    Yes I think I will have to see this.

     

     It does seem quicky and I do adore Christina Ricci, as well As O'Hara.

     

    ~~~

    Canadian studies can really open your mind, but only up to a point, and even then it is pretty canada based.

    Bekkah's picture

    personally i think christina

    personally i think christina looks quite cute with the nose. and reese's hair is enough for me to be sucked in...
    Kaytiana's picture

    I used to think I was

    I used to think I was Wednesday Addams when I was little, so needless to say I am a big fan of Ricci (infact, while I class Gillian Anderson as my first lesbian crush, when I look back my love for Ricci was probably more than idolising).  Yeah, so I would love to see this, but it is another one of those movies I have to keep fingers crossed that it makes it across the pond to the UK.
    ryath's picture

    Hmmm ...

    What could be better?

    Well, How about Reece in leathers with an actual motorcycle with Ricci actually falling for her instead of James McAvoy. Now THAT would be better :)

    But maybe I am just greedy.

     

    HaveFaith's picture

    Yep

    That's exactly what I thought!

    I was hoping for that when I watched the trailer...

    I still want to see it though. Hope it gets through to Holland.

    Arcane Tremere's picture

    some editing

    Maybe we can edit out the other bits and make a fantasy version.

    or take all of our movies where the girl almost got the girl, and edit them to make a new version. Kinda like that Urah man who rented movies that he felt we better after he edited out all the smut.

    Nyssa, being silly.

     

     

    Lost in the Wild Roses

    realgirly's picture

    Gonna watch this

    if and when it reaches ze Philippines.

    My family called me Wednesday as a kid (cause I shared her wide forehead and somber attitude lol..and I looked a bit like her back then)

    marnett's picture

    I love movies about

    I love movies about outsiders and people who are different. My little girl has a cock-eye and wears coke bottle lens glasses. Everyone is like I feel so sorry for her. She is 5 and so cool. She's like, 'Look everyone I have a cock-eye like an ally cat". When she picked out black horned rimmed frames I was so pround of my little nerd. I think this will be a good film. Black Snake Moan was a great film. Is is me or does anyone else love to hear Samual L Jaskson curse?

    rowan1879's picture

    Count me in

    It looks like an interesting movie from the trailer, and I too enjoy Ricci's off-kilter selection in roles. However, I find it hard to think of her as anyone other than Wednesday Addams. She was so effortlessly demented in that role.

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