Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day Review by MissMovieFan

Rated: PG-13
Director: Bharat Nalluri
Cast: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Lee Pace, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds

Academy Award winner Frances McDormand is Miss Pettigrew, a middle-aged governess who finds herself unfairly fired from her job over a personality clash with her employer. Penniless and desperate, Miss Pettigrew lies her way into the employ of an ambitious American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams) finding herself outside her comfort level as "social secretary", a position for which she has no experience.

Within minutes of her job interview, Miss Pettigrew finds herself swept up in the madcap antics of 1939 London high-society. In an effort to keep her new job, she tries to help Delysia sort out her messy love life and keep her career on track. Complications abound as Delysia juggles three different men: Nick, played by Mark Strong (Stardust), the intimidating owner of the nightclub where Delysia sings; Phil, played by newcomer Tom Payne, who is about to cast the lead in his next musical; and Michael, played by Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) her devoted pianist . While Pettigrew tries to guide Delysia out of her predicament, she finds herself falling for the successful designer, Joe, played by Ciarán Hinds (There Will Be Blood). Joe’s gold-digging fiancé, Edythe, seems to be the only person who senses that Miss Pettigrew is out of her element and schemes to undermine her at every turn. But Pettigrew manages to make a new friend, get a new life and discover her romantic destiny all in the course of a day’s work.

This film reminded me of some of the old screwball comedies from the 30's and 40's. Miss Pettigrew boasts the same charm and fast paced, over the top humor as Bringing up Baby (one of my all time faves). Bharat Nalluri provides perfectly timed direction. The enjoyable soundtrack includes some musical standards of the era by Johnny Mercer and Cole Porter. The vintage costumes and production design add to the nostalgic glow. The actors did a fine job. The yummy Lee Pace does a convincingly scruffy 1930's British accent. Adams sparkles just as much as she did in Enchanted. McDormand was impressive as the mousy Brit. The two female leads compliment each other perfectly. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a lighthearted comedy, a bubbly diversion and a delightful throwback to the golden age of Hollywood. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.