Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Name: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Released: March 7, 2008
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 63
Cast: Amy Adams, Ciarán Hinds, Frances McDormand

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Ratings

See All

7.4

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.4	Your Score
7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day: Meets Edythe

Now Playing: Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day: Meets Edythe

Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: March 7, 2008 | PG-13

Starring: Amy Adams, Ciarán Hinds, Frances McDormand

Summary: In 1939 London, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew is a middle-aged governess who finds herself once again unfairly dismissed from her job. Without so much as severance pay, Miss Pettigrew realizes that she must--for the first time in two decades--seize the day. This she does, by intercepting an employment assignment outside of her comfort level--asIn 1939 London, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew is a middle-aged governess who finds herself once again unfairly dismissed from her job. Without so much as severance pay, Miss Pettigrew realizes that she must--for the first time in two decades--seize the day. This she does, by intercepting an employment assignment outside of her comfort level--as "social secretary." Arriving at a penthouse apartment for the interview, Miss Pettigrew is catapulted into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse. Within minutes, Miss Pettigrew finds herself swept into a heady high-society milieu--and, within hours, living it up. Taking the "social secretary" designation to heart, she tries to help her new friend Delysia navigate a love life and career, both of which are complicated by the three men in Delysia's orbit: devoted pianist Michael, intimidating nightclub owner Nick, and impressionable junior impresario Phil. Miss Pettigrew herself is blushingly drawn to the gallant Joe, a successful designer who is tenuously engaged to haughty fashion maven Edythe, the one person who senses that the new "social secretary" may be out of her element and schemes to undermine her. During the next 24 hours, Guinevere and Delysia will empower one another to discover their romantic destinies. [Focus Features]
… Expand

Director: Bharat Nalluri

Genre(s): Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 92 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Ruthe Stein

Frothy and exuberantly entertaining - in part because of the sexual innuendoes - it's the best romantic comedy so far this year. Read full review

Michael Sragow

It's an unusual and engaging romantic comedy because it's mostly about how these women ready each other for real love. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Style is a tricky, elusive thing, and this film doesn’t so much have it as strive for it, constantly. But something in Watson’s story endures: The wish-fulfillment truly satisfies. And with the war clouds gathering by story’s end, the fairy tale acquires a bittersweet edge, nicely cutting all that whipped cream. Read full review

Stephen Holden

How light is this movie? So buoyant that even an air raid warning, signaling that this whole world is about to crumble under the blitz, can’t dampen its giddy spirits. Read full review

William Arnold

The film is lovely to look at -- so overflowing with lavish furniture, jewelry and interiors that it's almost like a visit to Paris' Musée des Arts Décoratifs. If you're a fan of such things, "Pettigrew" is worth seeing solely for its sets. Read full review

Scott Tobias

In trying to recapture the spirit of classic '30s screwball comedies, the film too often mistakes manic energy for wit, and it ends on a note of gloppy sentimentality that wouldn't have held water in Old Hollywood. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

At least Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day has the good grace to go wrong quickly, you don't have to sit there squirming with doubt. Read full review

SEE ALL 27 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

SergioR.

Mar 10, 2008

Delightful and poignant comedy. McDormand and Adams sparkle in their roles. 1939 London comes alive beautifully on the screen, top production values.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

Musthtrdoc

Mar 15, 2008

Charming, unpretentious, and well-acted, esp. by McDormand and Adams who have delightful comedic timing and chemistry. Some reviewers seem disappointed that it has "nothing more" on its mind, but why is that any less satisfying than a well-made action film?

0 of 0 users found this helpful

PatR.

Mar 16, 2008

A really charming film due to the great chemistry between the two leads, McDormand and Adams. English by has a nice touch. What else has he done?

0 of 1 users found this helpful

LuisG.

Mar 9, 2008

its certainly the best hour and half you could ask for after Oscar season ... Mcdormand shines and Adam's a gem always... a rare treat.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Nathanl

Apr 2, 2008

A fish out of water movie that's warmhearted without being sentimental, and the fish out of water premise never gets boring. again, amy adams excells. it does admittingly get a bit dull after a while, bull still worth your while

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Enrique

Mar 17, 2008

Cute 'feel good movie.' Superb acting by Amy Adams.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

BillC.

Mar 30, 2008

This played like it was written ,directed , and produced by a bunch of 4th grade silly girls. The audience at the viewing I saw was 95% female. I thought it was so stupid I left after 12 minutes. It wasn't funny,or the least bit believeable. If you have any male hormone in ya, this This played like it was written ,directed , and produced by a bunch of 4th grade silly girls. The audience at the viewing I saw was 95% female. I thought it was so stupid I left after 12 minutes. It wasn't funny,or the least bit believeable. If you have any male hormone in ya, this film will turn it to dust if you stay too long., not to mention the brain cells that will scream and comit suicide. Francis McDorman is a good actress, why she involved herself in this time waster is a mystery.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 15 REVIEWS