Starring Christina Ricci, Catherine O’Hara, and Reese Witherspoon. Rated G.

Penelope is a modern-day fairy tale about a cloistered heiress (Christina Ricci) who suffers from the effects of an ancient family curse. Although utterly beguiling, she has a pig’s snout instead of a regular nose. We’re not talking the Elephant Man here. In fact, the snout is quite stylish by actual barnyard standards and looks Halloween-cute on the saucer-eyed Ricci. Still, there’s really no denying that Penelope just might have a slightly better chance at digging up a nice, fresh truffle than, say, Paris Hilton.

It’s a slight premise, to be sure, but one that’s admirably determined to pay homage to the traditional fairy-tale form. So, while first time director Mark Palansky conjures up a retro-hip look reminiscent of Brazil, Penelope doesn’t skimp on certain time-honoured storybook conventions, including narrow-minded suitors fleeing in terror at the shocking sight of a young woman whose, shall we say, unusual
appearance shatters their expectations.

Finding an adoring mate of equal wealth and status appears to be the only way to break the curse. Penelope seems quite content just to be herself. It’s her mother (a meaner than usual Catherine O’Hara ) who can’t accept the situation. Mom’s fading hopes are given a boost when they discover Max (Atonement’s James McAvoy), a reasonably suitable beau who doesn’t bolt at the sight of Penelope’s snout.

Max and Penelope really hit it off. Unfortunately, Max works for a tabloid reporter (Peter Dinklage) who has paid him five thousand dollars to get a picture of the reclusive “pig woman”. This temporary glitch on the road to true love leads to Penelope breaking free of her controlling mother and—with the aid of a strategically placed scarf—enjoying the outside world for the first time. She makes a new best friend (played by coproducer Reese Witherspoon) and gets to do the kinds of everyday things most of us take for granted.

Other movies have covered similar ground with more satisfying results (Roxanne and Edward Scissorhands come to mind). But there’s a real sweetness here that helps to undercut the predictability. I’d call Penelope a winner by a nose. And a pretty unusual nose at that.