DVD review (region 1 & 2)
Directed by Mark Palansky
Starring Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage
Release date Out now

A modern day fairy tale involving a curse that can only be lifted after a quest for true love has been completed…

Director Mark Palansky certainly gets the most from his impressive cast. Christina Ricci looks lovely despite wearing a freakish snout, and she’s ably supported by a veritable who’s who of British talent including Russell Brand, Nick Frost and Lenny Henry. James McAvoy makes for an effective romantic lead and remains nicely restrained in contrast to some of the shameless showboating of the other actors – stand up Richard E. Grant, who seems to think he’s back in Hudson Hawk. Producer Reese Witherspoon also pops up at one stage, though it seems a bit of a token gesture.

Despite its charms, Penelope often feels a little too slight, and it takes ages to travel the shortest narrative distance. It’s a sweet film and its little piggy heart is in the right place, but ultimately it offers a pretty empty trough.

The special features consist of a rather weak 10-minute ‘making of’ and a “sneak peak” of upcoming teen vampire drama Twilight. It’s enough to make you pig sick. Jonathan Wilkins

VERDICT: 6/10
A sweet but slightly dull modern fairy tale.