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In 1939 London, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) is a middle-aged governess who finds herself once again unfairly dismissed from...
In 1939 London, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) is a middle-aged governess who finds herself once again unfairly dismissed from her job. Without so much as a redundancy package, Miss Pettigrew realizes that this is a perfect opportunity for her to get out there and live her life ‘to the max’.
She takes a job outside of her comfort level - as a ‘social secretary’. Arriving at a penthouse apartment for the interview, Miss Pettigrew is catapulted into the dizzyingly glamorous world of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse (Enchanted’s Amy Adams).
Within minutes, Miss Pettigrew finds herself swept into a high-society lifestyle in which Delysia is seeing three men; 1) devoted pianist Michael, 2) intimidating nightclub owner Nick, and 3) impressionable junior impresario Phil.
Miss Pettigrew herself is drawn to the gallant Joe (There Will Be Blood’s Ciarán Hinds), a successful designer who is tenuously engaged to haughty fashion meanie Edythe - the one person who senses that the new ‘social secretary’ may be out of her element, and schemes to undermine her.
She takes a job outside of her comfort level - as a ‘social secretary’. Arriving at a penthouse apartment for the interview, Miss Pettigrew is catapulted into the dizzyingly glamorous world of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse (Enchanted’s Amy Adams).
Within minutes, Miss Pettigrew finds herself swept into a high-society lifestyle in which Delysia is seeing three men; 1) devoted pianist Michael, 2) intimidating nightclub owner Nick, and 3) impressionable junior impresario Phil.
Miss Pettigrew herself is drawn to the gallant Joe (There Will Be Blood’s Ciarán Hinds), a successful designer who is tenuously engaged to haughty fashion meanie Edythe - the one person who senses that the new ‘social secretary’ may be out of her element, and schemes to undermine her.
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Where to watch Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
77 %150 reviewsRotten Tomatoes® rating
71 %81,575 reviewsAudience score rating
13+Age suitabilityChildren & Media rating
"A homage and love letter to the screwball comedies of the 1930s, Miss Pettigrew tells the tale of Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand), a stuffy, jobless nanny on the breadline who worms her way into a job interview with Delyssia (Amy Adams), a ditzy good times girl with showbiz aspirations. Delyssia takes her on as a 'social secretary', but Guinevere’s duties ending up being entirely concerned with cleaning up Delyssia's messy love life. Soon enough, Guinevere’s romantic situation comes into the spotlight as well."
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Flicks
Flicks"McDormand's performance slowly builds a solid integrity, and contrasts well with Adams' more flamboyant turn."
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Variety
Variety"It's a charming film that's as light and welcome, as a breeze, delivering its message without heavy-handedness."
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Urban Cinefile
Urban Cinefile"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."
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The New York Times
The New York Times"Oscar award-winner Frances McDormand and nominee Amy Adams are responsible for making this adaptation of Winifred Watson's novel a delightful and charming experience."
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New Zealand Herald
New Zealand Herald"It's unique how an historical setting like this one – even with a German Blitz expected at any moment – can yield the lightest stories. Think of Woody's “Bullets Over Broadway” and Frears' more recent “Miss Henderson Presents” – earlier times call for nostalgic tones, in which we can indulge in the simple joys of hopefuls falling in and out of love. “Miss Pettigrew” plays like a breeze and ends before we know it. In the current state of cinema, all we can hope for is one like this per year."
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Film Threat
Film Threat"An ultra-light screwball comedy with enough charm ot make Miss Pettigrew live for at least a second viewing."
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Empire Magazine
Empire Magazine"Based on a novel by Winifred Watson and directed by award-winning TV director Bharat Nalluri, it's not the deepest or most serious plot, but it's a whole lot of old-timey, screwball comedy fun. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is the perfect romantic-comedy romp to take your mum or gran to."
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Christchurch Press
Christchurch PressMiss Pettigrew Lives for a Day | Details
- Rating
- PG, infrequent mild violence and sexual references.
- Runtime
- 92
- Genre
- Comedy, Drama
- Country of origin
- UK
