Anything goes — and you won’t mind — in the agreeable “Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day.”
Like a catchy Cole Porter ditty from the era, this romantic 1930s period comedy is a theatrical, pithy bit of a whimsy. The sublimely bright and endearing Frances McDormand anchors the slight farce. She’s a down-and-out old maid whose prospects change overnight during the last moments of Jazz Age innocence before London faces war. It is the pull of the “Fargo” star’s vital aura in the title role along with a cute supporting performance by current “it” girl Amy Adams and some fabulous Deco appointments — given the small-scale production’s obviously limited budget — that give this “Day” its due.
The narrative, however, is rather trifling; its intentionally mannered style seems more suited for the stage than the big screen. Directed by TV helmer Bharat Nalluri and adapted by scripters David Magee and Simon Beaufoy from Winifred Watson’s novel, it follows the rise of the underestimated Miss Guinevere Pettigrew from broke unemployed governess to “social secretary” for the adorably clueless but ambitious sexpot Delysia Lafosse (Adams).
Indeed, as the sound of her name suggests, Delysia looks delicious — especially when she’s naked beneath her clingy satindressing gown. Thus, three men desire the good-natured nightclub chanteuse who has been using her womanly wiles in exchange for material comfort and to achieve her aspirations for a legit acting career on the West End.
Miss Pettigrew arrives, somewhat accidentally, just in time to be a love guru for Delysia on the very day she must choose among the three suitors who bed her, including: Nick (Mark Strong), the snaky nightclub owner who keeps her; Phil (Tom Payne), the producer’s son who is promising her a plum debut role; and Michael (Lee Pace), the handsome but penniless piano player who knows and adores the real her.
Meanwhile, Miss Pettigrew gets as much as she gives from entering Delysia’s world. In this same 24-hour period, the humble spinster gets a glam makeover; meets the tall, sweet, rich man of her middle-age dreams (played by swarthy senior heartthrob Ciaran Hinds); and then must vie for his attentions against his vicious and unfaithful but high-class fiancee.
It’s all an adventure in carefree diversion with McDormand and Adams serving as a worthy odd couple of girl-buddies. Adams, though, needs to start adding another shade to her repertoire if she wants career longevity. Delysia is the recent Oscar nominee’s third lovable airhead character, after the similarly naive gals she played in her two most important previous roles, for her breakout “Junebug” and last fall’s winner “Enchanted.”
Still, here, she and especially her co-star are more hit than “Miss.”
‘Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day’
***
» Starring: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Ciaran Hinds
» Director: Bharat Nalluri
» Rated PG-13
