This is a charming family movie with many strengths: good pacing, well- timed humour, strong acting performances, lovely whimsical sets. The coat with the many different buttons deserves a special mention. Penelope and Johnny are endearing, the mother suitably annoying and Edward makes you want to kick him.
Where it falls down is when the main premise doesn't convince. We are told that Penelope is horrifically ugly, but she isn't. She looks cute. Weird, yes, but not ugly and certainly not scary. Why would grown men run from her in terror? It would have been more credible (and made very little difference to the plot) if they had burst out laughing.
Where it falls down is when the main premise doesn't convince. We are told that Penelope is horrifically ugly, but she isn't. She looks cute. Weird, yes, but not ugly and certainly not scary. Why would grown men run from her in terror? It would have been more credible (and made very little difference to the plot) if they had burst out laughing.