Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)

Guinevere Pettigrew, a middle-aged London governess, finds herself unfairly dismissed from her job. An attempt to gain new employment catapults her into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse.

Director:

Bharat Nalluri

Writers:

David Magee (screenplay), Simon Beaufoy (screenplay)

Stars:

Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Ciarán Hinds

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Amy Adams	...	Delysia
David Alexander	...	Chestnut Seller
Clare Clifford	...	Margery
Christina Cole	...	Charlotte Warren
Stephanie Cole	...	Miss Holt
Beatie Edney	...	Mrs. Brummegan
Shirley Henderson	...	Edythe
Ciarán Hinds	...	Joe
Sarah Kants	...	Annabel Darlington
Sally Leonard	...	Woman at Train Station
Frances McDormand	...	Miss Pettigrew
Katy Murphy	...	Miss Holt's Assistant
Lee Pace	...	Michael
Tom Payne	...	Phil
Tim Potter	...	Nightclub Patron

Storyline

War threatens London as Miss Pettigrew, a destitute governess, filches a client's card from her agency and presents herself at the door. A singer named Delysia Lafosse wants a social secretary as she seeks a West End role by sleeping with a feckless producer in the bed of Nick, a smarmy nightclub owner with whom she also dallies. She ignores Michael, her piano player, who loves her and has tickets for New York on the Queen Mary. Miss Pettigrew's job is to make sure Delysia gets the part. Over 24 hours, Miss Pettigrew is also called upon to help an ambitious and unfaithful fashion editor patch things up with her older fiancé, a lingerie designer. Has Miss Pettigrew found her calling?

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Plot Keywords:

buttocks | casting couch | woman in bathtub | neo screwball comedy | singer | 

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Taglines:

Every Woman Will Have Her Day

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some partial nudity and innuendo

Details

Official Sites:

Europa Corp. [France] Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Vida num Só Dia

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,490,942, 9 March 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$12,294,036, 18 May 2008

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,051,363, 25 January 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

Focus Features, Kudos Productions Ltd., Keylight Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Frances McDormand's character Guinevere Pettigrew claims to be raised by a clergyman, when in real life, McDormand's adoptive father is Canadian minister Vernan McDormand.

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Goofs

In the scene on the balcony at the party, Miss Pettigrew's Martini changes from about one-third full to empty in an instant, just before Joe offers to refill it for her.

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Quotes

Michael: Pure and simple, I want you to marry me, and it's a one word conversation Delysia.
Guinevere Pettigrew: Don't you think, that on such a momentous occasion, a little time should be allowed?
Michael: Oh, stalling tactic. Is it because I'm not rich enough for her?
Guinevere Pettigrew: Certainly not.
Michael: Well, it's true. I'm wearing most of my worldly possessions. I could never afford this kind of blackmail.
[gestures around Nick's flat]
Delysia: Oh, and who pays you for playing the piano, huh? Are you telling me you give Nick his money back after every show?
Michael: No...

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Crazy Credits

Before the end credits, there is a black screen and a voice calling "some music please", after which music starts playing and the credits start rolling.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: College Road Trip/Snow Angels/Married Life/Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day/City of Men (2008)

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Soundtracks

If I Didn't Care
Written by Jack Lawrence
Performed by Amy Adams and Lee Pace
Arranged and Conducted by Paul Englishby

User Reviews

cute, light-hearted movie

Cute, light-hearted movie with heart, and a lesson for our times! The scene where Amy Adams sings one number had me in tears! I pulled out the Kleenex. The music is the star. It lifted the mood where the film could have turned somber. Nice quality of sound in the theater - I could almost make out the dialog if it weren't for the British accents. The dialog took 2nd place anyway as the sets, the costumes, the production, and the pacing dazzled, and moved the story at a nice a clip, too nice to bore. My friend couldn't make out the dialog but enjoyed it nonetheless! If you want a light-hearted afternoon or evening of entertainment, don't miss this one!