Once upon a time, there was a young actress by the name of Christina Ricci. Ricci was a talented girl, starring in films at just 9 years old. The young girl lost her way, however, with a string of films that failed to garner much box-office success. But, with a little hard work and dedication, Ricci’s rebounding role comes in the form of the fairytale-based film Penelope (Stone Village, Feb. 29).
Penelope (Ricci) has it all: a large estate, a famous family name and an attractive dowry. Like many young girls, her parents (Catherine O’Hara and Richard E. Grant) hope for Penelope to find a handsome young aristocrat with whom she can settle down and continue the family line. Unfortunately, the suitors can’t seem to get past one not-so-tiny detail: Penelope’s pig snout. Cursed from birth, the only cure for her deformity is to find true love. With a charming, down-on-his-luck, aristocrat-turned-journalist (James McAvoy) as a catalyst, Penelope escapes from the confines of her home and ventures into the world, determined to secure her independence and self-worth on her own terms.
Working with first-time writer Leslie Caveny and first-time director Mark Palansky, Ricci is excited about this movie and the message it brings. With a repertoire of eclectic films, Ricci explained in an interview with The University News why she chose to do Penelope:
“When I read the script and the twist, I realized it was a very feminist and, most of all, individualist movie,” she said. “It places high value on the individual. As soon as I saw that, I was like, ‘Well, this is awesome.'”
Part of the reason Ricci feels this message is important is because it is so relatable.
She said that Penelope is a “universal movie” because “insecurities can be about anything . You can take an insecurity that you think no on else has and blow it up to such a size that you may as well have a deformity . [The insecurity] has become so huge in your head, and I absolutely relate.”
Along with the message of individuality, Ricci was attracted to the message it holds for younger audiences.
“I’m so sick of all the negative imagery out there for women and little girls,” she said. “Some of the things aimed at children that are sexually exploitative make me go crazy.”
Ricci is concerned about the messages young people receive, because “we live in this culture that seems to want to homogenize everybody,” she said.
But don’t think that this is a movie solely for girls; guys can walk away from Penelope with a lasting message as well. In fact, the movie is directed by a man who, Ricci said, “identifies very much with Penelope because growing up he always felt like an outsider.
“I don’t know if guys have paid attention as much to the fairy-tale message as women have,” she said. “I don’t think they know the impact of waiting for a knight in shining armor.”
This movie is a pull away from the damsel-in-distress premise, and it brings the focus to pursuing one’s individuality, plugging the drain that girls feel on their ability to hold their own.
Filmed in London, Penelope has an other-worldly, romantic warmth to it, enhanced by a youthful, energetic soundtrack that is both sweet and rock ‘n’ roll. “This is a move that says it’s great to be different,” Ricci said.
“It’s a basic message, but I think it needs to be said every now and again.”
